Application of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography for Pediatric Patients

Abstract

  Technological advances including improvement in transducer resolution of diagnostic ultrasound system and introduction of multiple imaging planes have allowed for evolving applications of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis of all forms of heart disease. The miniaturization of TEE probes has increased the use of TEE in pediatric cardiovascular surgery. Many researchers have shown that intraoperative TEE can define the anatomy of the useful spectrum of congenital heart defects in infants and children and also provide for accurate assessment of the adequacy of surgical repair. Though few complications have been reported with use of TEE in adults and older children, complications may be associated with TEE in small children and infants. The biggest problem is inadvertent tracheal extubation, and special care must be taken to avoid this.