AIM To compare transesophageal echo-Doppler with thermodilution method for measuring cardiac output during dobutamine infusion after off-pump coronary artery bypass. METHOD Using transesophageal echo-Doppler and thermodilution methods, we measured cardiac output in 30 patients after off-pump coronary artery bypass, immediately before and 5, 15, and 30 min after the introduction of continuous ...

INTRODUCTION Two-dimensional echocardiography is a useful tool in diagnosing cardiac masses. However, the three-dimensional offline reconstruction technique of transesophageal echocardiography might be superior to two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in providing additional information of structural details. CASE PRESENTATION We report the case of a 76-year-old Caucasian man with ...

OBJECTIVE To develop recommendations for positioning the second-generation pacing esophageal stethoscope for transesophageal atrial pacing in patients positioned prone (P), right lateral decubitus (RLD), and left lateral decubitus (LLD). DESIGN Prospective; patients assigned consecutively. SETTING Tertiary and university hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Thirty (10 in each position group) adult pat...

Background. Transient bacteremia may lead to endocarditis in patients with significant valvular lesions. Methods and Results. Because transesophageal echocardiography selects a patient population with a high prevalence of valvular lesions, we prospectively evaluated the risk of transient bacteremia associated with transesophageal echocardiography in 49 patients. Blood cultures were obtained imm...

The usefulness of two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography during buttoned double-disk device closure of an atrial septal defect was evaluated in 20 consecutive patients at the time of interventional catheterization. Transesophageal echocardiography was used in 11 patients (ages 5 to 62 years, weights 20 to 91 kg). Because of the size of the available transesophageal echo probe, transthor...

BACKGROUND The value of transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of patients with aortic dissection was studied. METHODS AND RESULTS Group 1 (34 patients) represented all patients studied at our institution with this technique in whom aortic dissection was proven by aortography, surgery, or autopsy. Group 2 (27 patients) represented all patients studied with this technique at our in...

OVERVIEW Transesophageal endoscopic therapies are being developed for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A variety of procedures are being evaluated, including transesophageal (or transoral) incisionless fundoplication (TIF), application of radiofrequency (RF) energy, and injection/implantation of prosthetic devices or bulking agents. Note: This policy does not pertain to ...

We present a case of posterior ventricular septal rupture associated to left ventricular aneurysm manged, during peri-operative period, by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography findings add adjunctive and more accurate information regarding morphological details of the ventricular septal rupture rather than two-dimensional echocar...

OBJECTIVES To elucidate whether atherosclerotic aortic plaque detected by transesophageal echocardiography can be a clinically useful marker for coronary artery disease in the elderly. BACKGROUND Atherosclerotic aortic plaque detected by transesophageal echocardiography has been reported to be a marker for coronary artery disease. Its significance may be important particularly in the elderly ...