Transesophageal Echocardiography

Jürgen Meyer, geboren 1964, ist Bild-Redakteur beim Reutlinger General-Anzeiger. Seit über zwei Jahrzehnten dokumentiert er mit der Fotokamera Land und Leute in der Region Neckar-Alb. Er ist in Belsen aufgewachsen und lebt dort.

Echocardiography has been one of the most significant advances in cardiology in the past two decades. It can provide anatomic, functional hemodynamic, and blood flow information. Conventional transtho racic echocardiography has limitations, particularly in certain patients such as those with obesity, chronic lung disease, or chest wall defor mity, or in those where a transthoracic approach is difficult for reasons including trauma, life support apparat uses, and surgical dressings. There are also certain disease states or conditions in which transtho racic echocardiography expectedly gives incomplete or inadequate in formation. Transesophageal echo cardiography has opened a unique "new window to the heart." The immediate proximity of the esophagus and the posterior heart permits exceptionally high resolution images, par ticularly of the left atrium, mitral valve, and intraatrial septum. Addi tionally, from the stomach (trans gastric views), the ventricles can be dependably imaged. Transesophageal echo cardiography presently is utilized in two environments: intraoperatively and for outpatient examinations. Intraoperatively, TEE is utilized to monitor cardiac function and de tect intracardiac air or debris, to diagnose or quantitate cardiac path ology, and to access operative results.

Technology, Normal Examination, Development, Anatomy.- Technological Developments of Transesophageal Echocardiography in a Historical Perspective.- High-Frequency Annular Array Transesophageal Probe for High-Resolution Imaging and Continuous Wave Doppler Measurements.- Recent Technological Progress in Transesophageal Color Doppler Flow Imaging with Special Reference to Newly Developed Biplane and Pediatric Probes.- Transesophageal Echocardiography: Anatomic Correlations.- Congenital Heart, Valvular Heart, Ischemic Heart Disease.- The Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Adolescents and Adults with Congential Heart Disease.- Is the Quantification of Mitral Stenosis and Aortic Stenosis by Transesophageal Echocardiography Feasible?.- Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Assessment of the Severity of Aortic Stenosis.- Assessment of Etiology and Severity of Mitral Regurgitation by Transesophageal Echocardiography.- Is Tricuspid Regurgitation Underestimated as a Clinical Problem in Valvular Heart Disease?.- Visualization of the Coronary Artery Using Transesophageal Echocardiography.- Masses and Vegetation.- Sensitivity and Specificity of Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Diagnosis of Vegetations and Abscesses in Infective Endocarditis.- Assessment of Anatomical Abnormalities in Prosthetic Valve Malfunction by Transesophageal Echocardiography.- Intracardiac Source of Embolism.- Cardiac Tumors and Thrombus: Transesophageal Echocardiographic Experience.- Aortic Dissection.- Transesophageal Imaging of the Thoracic Aorta in Aortic Dissection.- Diagnosis of Dissecting Aortic Aneurysm by Transesophageal Color Flow Mapping: Comparison with CT Scanning.- Follow-up of Aortic Dissection by Conventional and Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Cooperative Study.- Prosthetic Valve Function.- Functional Assessment of Polyurethane Valve Prostheses in Calves byTransesophageal Echocardiography.- Value and Limitations of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Mitral Valvular Prosthesis.- Evaluation of Mitral Prosthesis by Transesophageal Echocardiography.- Transesophageal Evaluation of Aortic Valve Prostheses.- Transesophageal Echocardiography in Critically Ill Patients, Monitoring by Transesophageal Echocardiography.- Diagnostic Value of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Critically Ill Patients.- Complications of Acute Myocardial Infarction and the Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography.- Monitoring During PEEP Ventilation in Patients with Severe Left Ventricular Failure Using Transesophageal Echocardiography.- Transesophageal Echocardiographic Monitoring During Positive Inotropic Drug Intervention and Balloon Pumping.- Transesophageal Doppler Echo Monitoring of Cardiac Function During Assist Circulation.- Transesophageal Two-Dimensional and Doppler Echocardiography During Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty.- Transesophageal Echocardiographic Monitoring of Aortic Valvuloplasty.- Transesophageal Echocardiographic Observations During Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty.- Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Operating Room.- Automated Contour Detection on Short-Axis Transesophageal Echocardiograms.- Continuous and Noninvasive Monitoring of Cardiac Output by Transesophageal Doppler Ultrasound.- Monitoring of Cardiac Function During Anesthesia with Two-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography.- Systolic Pressure-Dimension Relationships and Diastolic Dimensions for Monitoring of Left Ventricular Function.- Assessment of Diastolic Function by Transesophageal Pulsed Doppler Echocardiography: Effect of Different Loading Conditions on Mitral Inflow Velocities During Coronary Bypass Surgery.- Are Changes in Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure an Indicator for Myocardial Ischemia? Wedge Pressure Related to Electrocardiogram and Transesophageal Echocardiographic Wall Motion Analysis.- Transesophageal Echocardiography Versus Epicardial Echo.- Monitoring During Noncardiac Surgery.- Feasibility and Value of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Anesthetized Children.- Assessment of Regional Myocardial Perfusion Using Contrast Echocardiography During Coronary Artery Surgery.- Intraoperative Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease: An Overview.- Transesophageal Echocardiography Adds to Decision Making During Valvular Heart Surgery.- Echocardiographic Follow-up After Surgery for Congenital Heart Diseases.- Transthoracic and Transesophageal Echocardiographic Findings After Orthotopic Heart Transplantation.- Perspectives on Transesophageal Echocardiography.- Transesophageal Echocardiography: The View of a Cardiologist.- Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE): The Surgeon's Perspective.- Practicability of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Conscious Patients.