The Usefulness of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Guidance of Percutaneous Femoral Cannulation for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

With the advent of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS), peripheral cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been increasingly used. Unlike conventional cardiac surgery, central cannulation for CPB under direct vision is difficult for MICS due to restricted space. Therefore, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is routinely used as guidance for peripheral CPB. We here present a case with severe mitral regurgitation receiving minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) was diagnosed by intraoperative TEE and femoral venous cannulation through PFO was avoided.