Time Transesophageal Echocardiography Research Articles

3D transesophageal echocardiography in TAVR.

Recently, there has been an increasingly minimalistic approach to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), with most procedures now performed under conscious sedation without real time transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. Proponents of echo should not feel discouraged by this; it is the initial insights that were gained with procedural TEE during the early years of TAVR that have allowed the procedure's gradual maturation and sophistication. Experienced centers that have promoted extensive TAVR TEE programs continue to maximize the benefits of echocardiography in both procedural planning and execution. Critical to this is the understanding of 3D TEE, allowing the annulus to be sized accurately, relevant neighboring anatomy defined, and complications flagged. This review will outline the current application of 3D TEE in TAVR and discuss challenges and opportunities for 3D echocardiography in this field.

Abstract 14803: Use of Real-Time Transesophageal Echocardiography to Improve Safety of Lead Extraction

Background: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) carries a small but measurable risk of serious adverse events. Few studies have examined the potential benefit of continuous monitoring with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during this procedure. Objective: Evaluate the utility of TEE during TLE involving both conventional and laser lead removal. Methods: TEE was performed in 100 consecutive patients undergoing TLE. All patients underwent TLE in the operating room with general anesthesia and continuous TEE monitoring. TLE was attempted for 193 leads in 100 patients. Eighty patients required laser lead extraction (80%). Indications for extraction were device endocarditis (28), lead fracture (28), recalled lead (21), pocket infection (17), and other (6). Results: Sixty-seven patients were male and the average age was 56.96 +- 17.01 years. The average length since lead implant was 78±55.19 (1.4-274.43) months. Complete success occurred in 181 leads (94%), partial success in 4 leads (2%), and failure in 8 leads (4%). Major complications included right ventricle laceration (1) and right atrium/superior vena cava laceration (2) which resulted in detection and localization within 1-2 minutes and prompt surgical repair. Premature termination and unnecessary surgery were prevented in 4 patients with hypotension but no intracardiac abnormalities seen on TEE (Figure 1). There was one upper gastrointestinal bleed from the TEE probe (1). In-hospital mortality was 0%. Conclusion: In total the clinical management was changed in 7 patients (7%) based on real-time TEE monitoring helping to decrease the TLE related mortality and premature termination of the procedure. Figure 1 Monitoring with real time TEE prevented premature termination of cases with severe hypotension showing RV obstruction due to invagination of the free wall. RA: right atrium; RV: right ventricle.

Detection of residual flow by transesophageal echocardiography during video-assisted thoracoscopic patent ductus arteriosus interruption.

The purpose of this study is to examine prospectively the efficacy of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) monitoring in reducing the incidence of residual ductal flow during video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) interruption. Thirty consecutive patients undergoing PDA interruption via the VATS procedure were monitored with an appropriately sized Hewlett-Packard color-Doppler TEE probe. All examinations were performed by the same individual and interpreted with a cardiologist. Real time TEE monitoring was used, but the results were not disclosed to the surgeon until he was prepared to close the wound. The mean age was 2.4 yr and the average weight 11.2 kg. Two patients had residual flow after placement of the vascular clip. One patient had residual flow detected intraoperatively after placement of the vascular clip and residual flow was quickly abolished by the placement of a second clip, thus avoiding a reintervention. A follow-up transthoracic echocardiography was performed on 18 patients 1 mo postoperatively. Three patients presented residual ductal flow. This study using a novel application of TEE, demonstrates that TEE monitoring during PDA interruption may improve the surgical result, thus avoiding reintervention and the complications associated with residual ductal flow. However, late recurrence due to recanalization may occur and may not be detected by intraoperative TEE monitoring.