Abstract
Numerous reports in recent years citing the value of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the management of congenital heart disease suggest that most patients may benefit from the diagnostic and functional assessment provided by this technology. Recently, percutaneous transvenous closure of atrial septal defects is one of the most useful treatments using pediatric TEE. 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 possibility of TEE probe compression of the normal airway and vascular structures has been recognized, and careful hemodynamic and airway monitoring is recommended in all patients undergoing TEE study. The biggest problem in infants is inadvertent tracheal extubation, and special care must be taken to avoid this. In this article based on our experience and review of the literature, we describe the usefulness and the complications of intraoperative pediatric TEE.
