The role of transesophageal echocardiography in critical care: UCSF experience

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1992 Jul-Aug;5(4):368-74. doi: 10.1016/s0894-7317(14)80269-1.

Abstract

The applications of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) now encompass the arena of critical care. We reviewed the indications, findings, and outcome of TEE in the critical care setting in a tertiary care hospital and report our experience. Eighty-three transesophageal echocardiograms were performed in 69 critically ill patients for the following indications: endocarditis (43%), embolic source (13%), hypotension (10%), mitral regurgitation (10%), left ventricular function (6%), aortic dissection (4%), prosthetic valve dissection (4%), and other (10%). Findings were unexpected in 21 of 83 studies and led to a change in management in 17%. On the basis of the results of TEE, 22% of patients had further evaluation by a more invasive technique, and 19% of patients had surgical intervention without further study. No significant complications attributable to TEE were noted. We conclude that TEE is a safe and useful diagnostic technique with fairly broad applications in the critical care setting.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Critical Care*
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Endocarditis / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged