Measurement of aortic flow velocity during transesophageal echocardiography in the transgastric five-chamber view

Abstract

Continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography of aortic flow velocity has a variety of clinical and research applications. Recently, continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography has been added to transesophageal echocardiographic systems. However, alignment of the Doppler beam with aortic flow is not possible with standard single and biplane views. A modified transesophageal echocardiographic view; the transgastric five-chamber (TG5C) view, allows for measurement of aortic flow velocity but its feasibility and accuracy in an unselected consecutive population have not yet been described. The feasibility of obtaining the TG5C view and measuring aortic flow velocity was assessed in 58 consecutive transesophageal echocardiographic investigations. The TG5C view was obtained in 97% and adequate Doppler flow velocity signals were obtained in 91% of patients. The accuracy of measurements was assessed in 24 patients in whom flow signals from both the TG5C and standard transthoracic views could be obtained. The correlation between TG5C and transthoracic views was excellent, with r values of 0.968 and 0.952 for peak aortic flow velocity and mean aortic flow velocity, respectively. Accurate aortic flow velocity measurements can be obtained in most patients during transesophageal echocardiography with the TG5C view. This view has great utility in a variety of situations in which adequate transthoracic imaging is not possible, especially the operating room and intensive care unit.