Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 2010
Review Comparative StudySafety of transesophageal echocardiography.
Since its introduction into the operating room in the early 1980s, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has gained widespread use during cardiac, major vascular, and transplantation surgery, as well as in emergency and intensive care medicine. Moreover, TEE has become an invaluable diagnostic tool for the management of patients with cardiovascular disease in a nonoperative setting. ⋯ Here, the authors review the safety profile of TEE by identifying complications and propose a set of relative and absolute contraindications to probe placement. In addition, alternative echocardiographic modalities (e.g., epicardial echocardiography) that may be considered when TEE probe placement is contraindicated or not feasible are discussed.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Oct 2009
ReviewA framework for systematic characterization of the mitral valve by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.
Because of the complex anatomy of the mitral valve, detailed imaging is a challenge. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) using two-dimensional echocardiography provides the backbone for the structural evaluation of the mitral valve. Interventional and surgical procedures on the mitral valve demand precise and sophisticated imaging for guidance and support. ⋯ In this review, the authors present a framework for the application of 3D TEE in the evaluation of patients with structural or functional mitral valve disease, outline an examination protocol, and address the advantages and limitations of the current platform for 3D TEE. Real-time 3D TEE has the real potential to become the main imaging tool for the guidance of surgical and interventional procedures on the mitral valve. Although 3D TEE provides impressive images of the mitral valve, it now must be demonstrated, through scientific studies, that these beautiful images add clinical value to the management of patients with mitral valve disease.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · May 2007
ReviewLeft ventricular form and function revisited: applied translational science to cardiovascular ultrasound imaging.
Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) and DTI-derived strain imaging are robust physiologic tools used for the noninvasive assessment of regional myocardial function. As a result of high temporal and spatial resolution, regional function can be assessed for each phase of the cardiac cycle and within the transmural layers of the myocardial wall. ⋯ The data are, however, limited. This review examines the structure and function of the left ventricle relative to the potential clinical application of DTI and speckle tracking in assessing the global mechanical sequence of the left ventricle in vivo.