In 16 adult patients, we performed continuous intraoperative two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE) to help elucidate the mechanism of myocardial dysfunction that accompanies liver transplantation. In 4 of the 16 patients "paradoxical" motion of the interventricular septum consistent with right ventricular failure was seen. An additional three of the 16 patients showed right a...

OBJECTIVES Atrial fibrillation is an important risk factor for systemic embolism. A number of clinical studies demonstrated the beneficial effect of anticoagulant therapy for the prevention of embolism. But there has been no study on the fate of left atrial thrombus demonstrated by transesophageal echocardiography in the course of anticoagulation therapy. METHODS Thirteen patients, demonstrat...

The main goal of Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is performing surgery avoiding skin incisions. Theoretical advantages of NOTES include decreased postoperative pain, reduction/elimination of general anesthesia, improved cosmetic outcomes, elimination of skin incision-related complications such as wound infections and hernias, and increased overall patient satisfaction. A...

BACKGROUND During the perioperative period an adequate intravascular volume must be maintained. Current recommendations overestimate perioperative volume requirements. AIM To compare perioperative volume administration using standard monitoring methods or guided by left ventricular filling parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four patients subjected to colon resection were randomized to ...

Methods 450 consecutive patients undergoing valvular were studied prospectively. Intraoperative 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) examinations were performed using a recently introduced TEE probe that provides realtime 3D imaging. Expert echocardiographers blinded to 2D TEE findings assessed the etiology of MR on 3D transesophageal echocardiography. Similarly, experts blinded to...

We report on a patient who was referred for percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy for symptomatic mitral stenosis. However, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography both revealed a large mobile left atrial thrombus, occupying almost half of the left atrial body. Because the patient strongly declined surgical mitral treatment, he was administered warfarin for 2 years. Complete...

We present a case of maternal cardiac arrest during an elective cesarean delivery. Transesophageal echocardiography identified a large pulmonary artery mass, and guided resuscitation efforts. After return of spontaneous circulation, the patient developed disseminated intravascular coagulation with massive hemorrhage. Blood product selection and volume replacement were guided by rotational throm...

Figure 1 (A) Initial transesophageal echocardiogram reveals a large vegetation on the atrial aspect of the mechanical mitral valve (arrow). (B) Repeat transesophageal echocardiogram 6 days later demonstrates a significant increase in size of the vegetation with valve obstruction (arrow). Note spontaneous echo contrast in the (C) Photograph of the explanted valve atrial aspect of the annular rin...

Transesophageal echocardiography has advantages over transthoracic technique in defining morphology of atrial structures. Even though real time three-dimensional echocardiographic imaging is a reality, the off-line reconstruction technique usually allows to obtain higher spatial resolution images. The purpose of this study was to explore the accuracy of off-line three-dimensional transesophagea...

Traumatic aorta rupture survival depends on early diagnosis requiring aortography. Aortography is the "gold standard" method, but it is time-consuming and may be dangerous in trauma patients with multiple organ injuries. Transesophageal echocardiography is a noninvasive technology that can be performed at the bedside. We report two cases in which transesophageal echocardiography enabled us to m...