Impact of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac and thoracic aortic surgery: Experience in 1011 cases

Prevalence and characteristics of transesophageal echocardiography-related esophageal mucosal injury in patients with atrial fibrillation who underwent pulmonary vein isolation

BACKGROUND

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard for detecting thrombi in the left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) prior to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although TEE has a good safety profile, it was recently reported that TEE preceding PVI can cause esophageal mucosal injuries (EMIs). The exact mechanism remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors of TEE-related EMI (TEE-EMI) among patients who underwent PVI for AF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study included 262 consecutive patients who underwent PVI with preoperative TEE using a 3D TEE probe and postoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy. TEE-EMIs were observed in 16 (6.1%) patients (18 lesions), whereas PVI-related EMIs were found in 5 (1.9%) patients (8 lesions). All TEE-EMIs were observed in the upper or middle esophagus and occurred more frequently in the right region of the upper esophagus and the left anterior region of the middle esophagus; only one patient experienced mild chest discomfort. In the multivariate analysis, advanced age was an independent risk factor for TEE-EMIs (odds ratio 1.08, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.16; P = 0.0274).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of TEE-EMIs with 3D TEE probes was relatively high in the upper or middle esophagus, anatomically close to the LA, among patients who underwent PVI. Advanced age could pose a significant risk. These findings may warrant consideration of other methods to rule out LA/LAA thrombi, especially in elderly patients.

Expert Consensus Systems of Care Proposal to Optimize Care for Patients With Valvular Heart Disease Review of the 2019 Document for the Cardiac Anesthesiologist

Valvular heart disease requiring intervention is increasing in prevalence in the adult population. With advancement in transcatheter and surgical procedures for valvular heart disease, optimization of patient selection, availability of resources and personnel, appropriate training and certification, and optimal periprocedural management rely on clinical evaluation, accurate echocardiographic interpretation, and understanding of valvular pathophysiology by the cardiac anesthesiologist. To optimize care and improve access for patients with valvular heart disease the Expert Consensus Systems of Care Document by Nishimura et al.¹ was recently published. The authors propose a protocol with guidelines and performance metrics to create tiered-level valve centers. This review focuses and expands on aspects discussed in Nishimura et al.'s Expert Consensus Systems of Care Document that are relevant to the cardiac anesthesiologist in the periprocedural setting.

Comparison of grading of aortic stenosis between transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography in adult patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement surgeries: A prospective observational study

Introduction:

Intraoperative trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been found to underestimate severity of aortic stenosis (AS) compared to trans-thoracic echo (TTE). We conducted a prospective study comparing pre induction TTE and intra operative TEE grading of AS in patients posted for aortic valve replacement surgeries.

Methods:

Sixty patients with isolated AS who were undergoing aortic valve replacement were enrolled in our study. Baseline TTE was done and after induction of anesthesia, TEE was done. Mean gradient across aortic valve, peak jet velocity, aortic valve area (AVA) by continuity equation and dimensionless index (DI) were assessed in both.

Results:

Mean gradient decreased from 56.4 in TTE to 39.8 mm Hg in TEE leading to underestimation of AS in 74.5% of patients (P < 0.0). Mean of peak jet velocity also decreased from 500 in TTE to 386cm/s in TEE (P < 0.01). In 76 % of patients this led to reduction of AS grade from severe to moderate. Mean AVA was 0.67 cm² in TTE and 0.69 cm² in TEE. Though there was 0.02 cm² increase, it was not statistically significant (P = 0.07). All the patients remained as severe AS in TEE. DI mean was 0.19 in both TTE and TEE (P = 0.14).It led to underestimation of severity in 6% of patients in TEE.

Conclusion:

Our study shows that AVA measurement by continuity equation and DI are reliable in grading aortic stenosis while performing intraoperative TEE. Mean gradient and jet velocity can be significantly reduced.

Difficult TEE Probe Placement: The Evidence, Troubleshooting Techniques, and a Guide to Alternative Monitoring Options for Intraoperative Physicians

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) imaging has become an essential component of many open and interventional cardiac procedures and has increasing use in monitoring for noncardiac procedures, partly because of an aging population. Whether expected or not, encountering difficulty when inserting the TEE probe presents the anesthesiologist with a conundrum. Repeated insertion attempts increase the risk of a serious complication; however, proceeding without TEE may be unacceptable to the proceduralist or surgeon. The aim of this review is to present the spectrum of complications possible with TEE, propose several evidence-based insertion tips, examine potential alternative cardiac imaging options, and finally, propose a roadmap for providers who encounter difficulty when placing a TEE probe.

The feasibility study of transnasopharyngeal esophagus echocardiography in the ultrasonic diagnosis

Background

Professor Xinfang Wang first introduced the clinical application of trans nose pharynx esophagus echocardiography (TNPEE) in 2014. Subsequently, we developed the technology. In the present study we assess the feasibility of TNPEE in the ultrasonic diagnosis.

Methods

Select patients suitable for TNPEE examination. After obtaining written consent of patients or their families, oral dacronin hydrochloride gel local anesthesia was given 10–15 min before examination. The nostrils were disinfected and then smeared with tetracaine hydrochloride gel, which acted as local anesthesia and lubrication. The probe was inserted gently through the nostrils and entered the esophagus through the nasal cavity and pharynx. TNPEE is similar to transoral esophagus echocardiography (TOEE) after the probe reaches the esophagus.

Results

TNPEE was performed in 103 patients. Forty-five patients (43.7%) underwent the examination successfully, 46 patients (44.7%) failed because of objective reasons, 12 patients midway refused to accept the examination and cancelled the examination, accounting for 11.6%, 11 patients (12.1%) suffered from epistaxis. Of all the patients with epistaxis, 9 had taken anticoagulant drugs, accounting for 82% of the patients with epistaxis. The vital signs of all patients were stable and no serious complications occurred.

Conclusion

Compared with TOEE, TNPEE can cause less nausea and vomiting reaction, and patients take longer time to undergo examination, which is conducive to more detailed examination. However, TNPEE has a high requirement for the probe, and its success rate is relatively low. It is easy to cause nasal bleeding in patients, so its wide clinical application is limited.

McConnell's sign in intra-operative acute right ventricle ischaemia: An under-recognized aetiology

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become a fundamental tool in modern cardiothoracic anaesthesia. It has an indisputable role in coronary valve surgery and revascularisations with severe impairment of ventricle function. It helps in making diagnoses that can optimise the surgical strategy and to minimal invasively dynamically monitor volaemia and cardiac function during the post-operative period, detecting complications unobservable by other methods. The McConnell sign, visualised using TEE as an akinesis of the right ventricular free wall, with a normal apex motility and enlargement of the right cavities, is characteristic of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. This sign has a 77% sensitivity and 94% specificity for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE). The case is presented of a 53-year-old man scheduled for aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement surgery, with a history of severe valve aortic stenosis, aortic root and arch aneurysm, and with normal coronary arteries. Post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP), the patient presented with haemodynamic instability, with the TEE showing a typical image of the McConnell sign, with no pulmonary hypertension. This enabled making an early diagnosis of acute RV ischaemia, that led to a change in the surgical plan, the performing of coronary revascularisation surgery. As a result, the McConnell sign, which describes the characteristics of RV dysfunction, led to making a differential diagnosis between APE, RV infarction and acute myocardial ischaemia.

Technological advances in perioperative monitoring: Current concepts and clinical perspectives

Minimal mandatory monitoring in the perioperative period recommended by Association of Anesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland and American Society of Anesthesiologists are universally acknowledged and has become an integral part of the anesthesia practice. The technologies in perioperative monitoring have advanced, and the availability and clinical applications have multiplied exponentially. Newer monitoring techniques include depth of anesthesia monitoring, goal-directed fluid therapy, transesophageal echocardiography, advanced neurological monitoring, improved alarm system and technological advancement in objective pain assessment. Various factors that need to be considered with the use of improved monitoring techniques are their validation data, patient outcome, safety profile, cost-effectiveness, awareness of the possible adverse events, knowledge of technical principle and ability of the convenient routine handling. In this review, we will discuss the new monitoring techniques in anesthesia, their advantages, deficiencies, limitations, their comparison to the conventional methods and their effect on patient outcome, if any.

Safety of transesophageal echocardiography

Since its introduction into the operating room in the early 1980s, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has gained widespread use during cardiac, major vascular, and transplantation surgery, as well as in emergency and intensive care medicine. Moreover, TEE has become an invaluable diagnostic tool for the management of patients with cardiovascular disease in a nonoperative setting. In comparison with other diagnostic modalities, TEE is relatively safe and noninvasive. However, the insertion and manipulation of the ultrasound probe can cause oropharyngeal, esophageal, or gastric trauma. Here, the authors review the safety profile of TEE by identifying complications and propose a set of relative and absolute contraindications to probe placement. In addition, alternative echocardiographic modalities (e.g., epicardial echocardiography) that may be considered when TEE probe placement is contraindicated or not feasible are discussed.

Advances in aortic valve repair: focus on functional approach, clinical outcomes, and central role of echocardiography

The surgical classification of aortic regurgitation (AR) is based on cusp mobility. Based on this classification, there are 3 classes of AR: type I is defined as normal cusp mobility, type II is defined as excessive cusp mobility, and type III is defined as restricted cusp mobility. Patients often have multiple coexisting mechanisms. Because aortic valve (AV) repair is safe, effective, and durable, it likely will become a mainstream surgical option for the management of significant AR, even in the setting of a bicuspid valve. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography has a central role at all stages in AV repair. Before cardiopulmonary bypass, it can accurately diagnose the mechanism of AR to guide operative strategy for successful repair. After separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, it can comprehensively evaluate the AV repair, including the likelihood that the repair will be durable in the long-term. Important echocardiographic predictors of a durable AV repair include the absence of AR, cusp coaptation above the annular plane, a coaptation length >4 mm, and an effective cusp height >8 mm. The clinical applicability of AV repair continues to expand and likely will evolve into a mainstream surgical therapy for AR, including minimally invasive techniques.