Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography Is a Major Advance for Intraoperative Clinical Management of Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Core Review

Intraoperative and Intraprocedural Use of 3-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography: An International European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and Intensive Care Survey of Cardiac Surgical Centers

OBJECTIVE

To assess the intraoperative use of 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) in cardiac surgical centers, the authors created a survey aimed at evaluating the availability of equipment and the use of 3D TEE for specific surgical and interventional procedures and single-image modalities. The respondents were asked to identify the perceived impact on patient management and current limitations to its routine use.

DESIGN

A multiple choice 25-question online survey submitted to the members of the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and Intensive Care (EACTAIC) on December 6, 2021, and closed on January 31, 2022.

SETTING

An online survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Registered EACTAIC members in 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 239 respondents from 44 different countries took part in the survey (27% of the total 903 EACTAIC members). Most respondents (59%) were TEE-certified by the National Board of Echocardiography, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI/EACTAIC), or had a national certificate. Of the respondents, 68% had no formal 3D TEE training. Eight percent of respondents had no 3D machines, whereas 40% had one for each operating room, and 33% had only one for the entire operating room block. 3D TEE was performed most frequently in more than 67% of cases for mitral valve surgery, and in more than 54% of cases for mitral and tricuspid clips, aortic valve, tricuspid valve, and aortic surgery.

CONCLUSION

Current guidelines suggest integrating 3D TEE into all comprehensive examinations. The authors' survey reported that intraoperative 3D TEE was used in the majority of mitral valve surgery and only one-half of the other valve surgeries and transcatheter procedures. Its use may be explained by the availability of 3D machines, trained personnel, and limited time to perform TEE in the operating room. Educational initiatives for training in 3D TEE may further increase its routine use.

Bend-insensitive fiber optic ultrasonic tracking probe for cardiovascular interventions

BACKGROUND

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is widely used to guide medical device placement in minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures. However, visualization of the device tip with TEE can be challenging. Ultrasonic tracking, enabled by an integrated fiber optic ultrasound sensor (FOUS) that receives transmissions from the TEE probe, is very well suited to improving device localization in this context. The problem addressed in this study is that tight deflections of devices such as a steerable guide catheter can result in bending of the FOUS beyond its specifications and a corresponding loss of ultrasound sensitivity.

PURPOSE

A bend-insensitive FOUS was developed, and its utility with ultrasonic tracking of a steerable tip during TEE-based image guidance was demonstrated.

METHODS

Fiberoptic ultrasound sensors were fabricated using both standard and bend insensitive single mode fibers and subjected to static bending at the distal end. The interference transfer function and ultrasound sensitivities were compared for both types of FOUS. The bend-insensitive FOUS was integrated within a steerable guide catheter, which served as an exemplar device; the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of tracking signals from the catheter tip with a straight and a fully deflected distal end were measured in a cardiac ultrasound phantom for over 100 frames.

RESULTS

With tight bending at the distal end (bend radius < 10 mm), the standard FOUS experienced a complete loss of US sensitivity due to high attenuation in the fiber, whereas the bend-insensitive FOUS had largely unchanged performance, with a SNR of 47.7 for straight fiber and a SNR of 36.8 at a bend radius of 3.0 mm. When integrated into the steerable guide catheter, the mean SNRs of the ultrasonic tracking signals recorded with the catheter in a cardiac phantom were similar for straight and fully deflected distal ends: 195 and 163.

CONCLUSION

The FOUS fabricated from bend-insensitive fiber overcomes the bend restrictions associated with the FOUS fabricated from standard single mode fiber, thereby enabling its use in ultrasonic tracking in a wide range of cardiovascular devices.

Renaissance of Cardiac Imaging to Assist Percutaneous Interventions in Congenital Heart Diseases:The Role of Three-Dimensional Echocardiography and Multimodality Imaging

Percutaneous interventions have completely refashioned the management of children with congenital heart diseases (CHD) and the use of non-invasive imaging has become the gold standard to plan and guide these procedures in the modern era. We are now facing a dual challenge to improve the standard of care in low-risk patients, and to shift our strategies from the classic open chest surgery to imaging-guided percutaneous interventions in high-risk patients. Such rapid evolution of ultrasound technologies over the last 20 years have permitted the integration of transthoracic, transesophageal and intracardiac echocardiography into the interventional workflow to improve image guidance and reduce radiation burden from fluoroscopy and angiography. Specifically, miniaturization of transesophageal probe and advances in three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques have enabled real-time 3D image guidance during complex interventional procedure, In addition, multimodality and fusion imaging techniques harness the strengths of different modalities to enhance understanding of anatomical and spatial relationship between different structures, improving communication and coordination between interventionalists and imaging specialists. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of 3D imaging modalities and multimodal fusion in procedural planning and live guidance of percutaneous interventions. At the present times, 3D imaging can no longer be considered a luxury but a routine clinical tool to improve procedural success and patient outcomes.

Computer-Generated Three-Dimensional Airway Models as a Decision-Support Tool for Preoperative Evaluation and Procedure-Planning in Pediatric Anesthesiology

Technology improvements have rapidly advanced medicine over the last few decades. New approaches are constantly being developed and utilized. Anesthesiology strongly relies on technology for resuscitation, life-support, monitoring, safety, clinical care, and education. This manuscript describes a reverse engineering process to confirm the fit of a medical device in a pediatric patient. The method uses virtual reality and three-dimensional printing technologies to evaluate the feasibility of a complex procedure requiring one-lung isolation and one-lung ventilation. Based on the results of the device fit analysis, the anesthesiology team confidently proceeded with the operation. The approach used and described serves as an example of the advantages available when coupling new technologies to visualize patient anatomy during the procedural planning process.

Quantitative assessment of left ventricular volume and function by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, ultrasound velocity dilution, and gated magnetic resonance imaging in healthy foals

OBJECTIVE

To compare measurements of left ventricular volume and function derived from 2-D transthoracic echocardiography (2DE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and the ultrasound velocity dilution cardiac output method (UDCO) with those derived from cardiac MRI (cMRI) in healthy neonatal foals.

ANIMALS

6 healthy 1-week-old Standardbred foals.

PROCEDURES

Foals were anesthetized and underwent 2DE, TEE, and cMRI; UDCO was performed simultaneously with 2DE. Images acquired by 2DE included the right parasternal 4-chamber (R4CH), left apical 4- and 2-chamber (biplane), and right parasternal short-axis M-mode (M-mode) views. The longitudinal 4-chamber view was obtained by TEE. Measurements assessed included left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), end-systolic volume (LVESV), ejection fraction, stroke volume (LVSV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac index (CI). Bland-Altman analyses were used to compare measurements derived from biplane, R4CH, and M-mode images and UDCO with cMRI-derived measurements. Repeatability of measurements calculated by 3 independent reviewers was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Compared with cMRI, all 2DE and TEE modalities underestimated LVEDV and LVESV and overestimated ejection fraction, CO, and CI. The LVSV was underestimated by the biplane, R4CH, and TEE modalities and overestimated by UDCO and M-mode methods. However, the R4CH-derived LVSV, CO, and CI were clinically comparable to cMRI-derived measures. Repeatability was good to excellent for measures derived from the biplane, R4CH, M-mode, UDCO, and cMRI methods and poor for TEE-derived measures.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

All assessed modalities yielded clinically acceptable measurements of LVEDV, LVESV, and function, but those measurements should not be used interchangeably when monitoring patient progress.

Features of carcinoid heart disease identified by cardiac computed tomography

BACKGROUND

Carcinoid heart disease (HD) is a rare form of valvular heart disease, the features of which have not been fully described by cardiac computed tomography (CT).

METHODS

All patients with carcinoid HD that underwent cardiac CT, either preoperatively or for assessment of coronary arteries, between Apr-2006 and Dec-2019 at the Royal Free Hospital, UK, were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 32 patients with carcinoid HD, 29 (91%) had heart valve involvement. Abnormalities of the tricuspid and pulmonary valves were present in all patients, affecting all three leaflets in 23/26 (89%) unoperated patients for both valves. The aortic valve was affected in 4/29 (14%) patients and the mitral valve in 5/29 (17%). Left heart valves were affected in 6/29 (21%) patients. One patient (1/29; 3%) had all four valves affected. Severe changes with significant valvular regurgitation were seen in ≥75% of patients with tricuspid, pulmonary, and aortic valve abnormalities. Three patients had carcinoid myocardial metastases (3/32; 9%) and one patient had constrictive pericarditis (1/32; 3%). Ten patients had surgery of whom four (40%) had invasive coronary angiography preoperatively. Ten patients had a patent foramen ovale. Cardiac CT allowed an accurate assessment of damage to different leaflets/cusps, particularly of the pulmonary valve, where visualization with echocardiography was often (3/8; 38%) incomplete.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac CT is a powerful tool for assessment of cardiac valve abnormalities, coronary arteries and the spatial relationship of coronary arteries with myocardial metastasis in patients with carcinoid HD, and should form part of multimodal imaging of this complex pathology.

Assessing Right Ventricular Function in the Perioperative Setting, Part II: What About Catheters?

An-depth assessment of right ventricular function is important in a many perioperative settings. After exploring 2-dimensional echo-based evaluation, other proposed monitoring modalities are discussed. Pressure-based methods of right ventricular appraisal is discussed. Flow-based assessment is reviewed. An overview of the state of current right ventricular 3-dimensional echocardiography and its potential to construct clinical pressure-volume loops in conjunction with pressure measurements is provided. An overview of right ventricular assessment modalities that do not rely on 2-dimensional echocardiography is discussed. Tailored selection of monitoring modalities can be of great benefit for the perioperative physician. Integrating modalities offers optimal estimations of right ventricular function.

Level of agreement in three-dimensional planimetric measurement of mitral valve area between transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography

BACKGROUND

Echocardiographic measurement of mitral valve area (MVA) is critical prior to percutaneous transmitral commissurotomy (PTMC). This study aimed to compare the agreement between transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in three-dimensional (3D) planimetric measurement of the MVA among patients with severe mitral stenosis.

METHODS

MVA was measured with planimetry in 105 patients before undergoing PTMC. 3D reconstruction was applied to both TTE and TEE examinations. The MVA values from four different methods of 3D reconstruction were compared to the average values of 3D methods in TEE as the gold standard measurement method for the MVA in this study. The agreement levels between the two examinations were evaluated and analyzed for various reconstruction methods.

RESULTS

The mean age was 49 ± 12 years for 28 men and 77 women who were enrolled. The image quality was graded as "excellent" in 57% of 3D images obtained by TTE, while it was graded as "excellent" in 81% of 3D images obtained by TEE. The ventricular zooming method in TTE with a bias of -0.006 ± 0.065 cm² (P < 0.0001) had the highest agreement with the 3D-MVA in TEE. While 2D-TTE and 3D-TEE measurements of the MVA (R = 0.91; P < 0.0001) were significantly correlated, 2D-TTE overestimated the MVA by 0.19 cm² .

CONCLUSION

Although the quality of 3D images was significantly better in TEE than those in TTE, a good agreement existed between the measured 3D-TTE and 3D-TEE studies. We also demonstrated that 2D-TTE overestimated the MVA compare to 3D-TEE.

Identification of mechanical prosthetic heart valves based on distinctive cinefluoroscopic and echocardiographic markers

The past 65 years have witnessed remarkable progress in the development of safe, hemodynamically favorable mechanical heart valves. Today, there are a large number and variety of prostheses in use and many prostheses have been used for a while and then discontinued. When patients lack reliable information about their heart valve prostheses, identification of valve model becomes difficult even for specialized physicians in this area. A combination of cinefluoroscopy and echocardiography makes it possible to provide accurate and detailed information regarding identification of prosthetic valve models. Fluoroscopic examination is a useful technique to evaluate patients following mechanical heart valve replacement. However, transthoracic echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography have almost replaced cinefluoroscopy in the evaluation of prosthetic heart valves. Especially, real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography provides distinctive images of prosthetic heart valves, particularly for those in the mitral position. A large body of literature has been published to familiarize physicians with the radiological appearance of numerous mechanical prostheses. However, there is a lack of data regarding the identification of prosthetic valve models based on echocardiographic appearance. In this review, we aimed to describe distinctive echocardiographic and cinefluoroscopic markers for identifying the type and brand of several commonly used mechanical prosthetic heart valves.

Surgical Echocardiography of the MV: Focus on 3D

The mitral valve remains a complex structure where multiple forms of pathology can be seen. Mitral regurgitation continues to be one of the most common valvular diseases in the industrialized world. While intraoperative 2-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography has been commonplace for some time, 3-dimensional technology has emerged and has shown great benefit for diagnosis and guidance during mitral valve surgery. In the hands of a trained sonographer, high-quality real-time images can easily be obtained and correlate well with gross anatomical findings. The use of multiple angled views and color Doppler within 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography has become a valuable asset in the understanding and interpretation of the mitral valve for surgical interventions.

Strategy for Monitoring Cardiac Interventions with an Intelligent Robotic Ultrasound Device

In recent years, 3D trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE) has become widely used for monitoring cardiac interventions. The control of the TOE probe during the procedure is a manual task which is tedious and harmful for the operator when exposed to radiation. To improve this technique, an add-on robotic system has been developed for holding and manipulating a commercial TOE probe. This paper focuses on the probe adjustment strategy in order to accurately monitor the moving intra-operative catheters. The positioning strategy is divided into an initialization step based on a pre-planning method, and a localized adjustment step based on the robotic differential kinematics. A series of experiments was performed to evaluate the initialization and the localized adjustment steps. The results indicate a mean error less than 10 mm from the phantom experiments for the initialization step, and a median error less than 1.5 mm from the computer-based simulation experiments for the localized adjustment step. Compared to the much bigger image volume, it is concluded that the proposed methods are feasible for this application. Future work will focus on evaluating the method in a more realistic TOE scanning scenario.

Unknown left atrial appendage mass! real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography helps in identification

Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) is the most contractile part of Left atrium. It is also the most frequent place for thrombus formation that may lead to disastrous consequences. Complete trasoesophageal echocardiography examination always includes assessing LAA but sometimes unusually placed pectinate muscle, which is a normal structure may give baffling shadow that can only be interpreted correctly by Real time 3D echocardiography.

Distortion of aortic valve from mechanical traction imposed by the mitral valve prosthesis: The three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic perception

Iatrogenic injury to the aortic valve is a rare but frequently reported complication during mitral valve surgeries. Intraoperative 2-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE) has a major impact in diagnosing these injuries, so that timely intervention is possible. However, 2D TEE has lot of limitations during the perioperative period, which can be overcome by the three dimensional echocardiography (3D-TEE). We report a case where 3D TEE has undoubtedly delineated the cause for distortion of aortic sinus after mitral valve replacement and helped in the successful outcome.

Role of 3D Echocardiography in Cardiac Surgery: Strengths and Limitations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to highlight the general and specific strengths and limitations of intraoperative 3D echocardiography. This article explains the value of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT 3D TEE) during cardiac surgery and cardiac interventions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recently published recommendations and guidelines include the use of RT 3D TEE. RT 3 D TEE provides additional value particularly for guidance during cardiac interventions (i.e., transcatheter mitral valve repair, left atrial appendix and atrial septal defect closures), assessment of the mitral valve in surgical repair, measurement of left ventricular outflow tract area for transcatheter valvular replacements, and estimating right and left ventricular volumes and function. The exact localization of paravalvular leakage is another strength of RT 3D TEE. The major limitation is the reduced temporal resolution compared to 2D TEE.

SUMMARY

Three-dimensional echocardiography is a powerful tool that improves communication and accurate measurements of cardiac structures.

Transesophageal Echocardiography in Swine: Establishment of a Baseline

The porcine model is a commonly used animal model in cardiovascular research. Along with new innovative operative techniques, choice of the optimal imaging technique is crucial. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a reliable imaging tool is highly important in a large number of experimental evaluations. But so far, TEE data for swine are limited, and few standard values have been established for the porcine model. The experience and baseline results for TEE in 45 swine are presented in this study. A full TEE examination was conducted in 45 German landrace or German large white swine, with an average body weight of 49 ± 3 kg, before experimental off-pump mitral valved stent implantation. Additionally hemodynamic measurements were evaluated. The valve implantation procedure was guided solely by real-time 3-D TEE. Baseline values of standard echocardiographic parameters are provided and, where appropriate, compared with human reference values. TEE proved to be an adequate imaging technique in this experimental porcine animal model. The baseline TEE and hemodynamic parameters established for the widely used porcine model can serve as a reference in future studies.

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: Principles and clinical applications

A basic understanding of evolving 3D technology enables the echocardiographer to master the new skills necessary to acquire, manipulate, and interpret 3D datasets. Single button activation of specific 3D imaging modes for both TEE and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) matrix array probes include (a) live, (b) zoom, (c) full volume (FV), and (d) color Doppler FV. Evaluation of regional LV wall motion by RT 3D TEE is based on a change in LV chamber subvolume over time from altered segmental myocardial contractility. Unlike standard 2D TEE, there is no direct measurement of myocardial thickening or displacement of individual segments.

Augmented Reality System for Ultrasound Guidance of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

OBJECTIVE

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) relies on fluoroscopy and nephrotoxic contrast medium for valve deployment. We propose an alternative guidance system using augmented reality (AR) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to guide TAVI deployment. The goals of this study were to determine how consistently the aortic valve annulus is defined from TEE using different aortic valve landmarks and to compare AR guidance with fluoroscopic guidance of TAVI deployment in an aortic root model.

METHODS

Magnetic tracking sensors were integrated into the TAVI catheter and TEE probe, allowing these tools to be displayed in an AR environment. Variability in identifying aortic valve commissures and cuspal nadirs was assessed using TEE aortic root images. To compare AR guidance of TAVI deployment with fluoroscopic guidance, a TAVI stent was deployed 10 times in the aortic root model using each of the two guidance systems.

RESULTS

Commissures and nadirs were both investigated as features for defining the valve annulus in the AR guidance system. The commissures were identified more consistently than the nadirs, with intraobserver variability of 2.2 and 3.8 mm, respectively, and interobserver variability of 3.3 and 4.7 mm, respectively. The precision of TAVI deployment using fluoroscopic guidance was 3.4 mm, whereas the precision of AR guidance was 2.9 mm, and its overall accuracy was 3.4 mm. This indicates that both have similar performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic valve commissures can be identified more reliably than cuspal nadirs from TEE. The AR guidance system achieved similar deployment accuracy to that of fluoroscopy while eliminating the use and consequences of nephrotoxic contrast and radiation.

[Perioperative risk and mortality after major surgery]

Although anesthesia-associated mortality has been significantly reduced down to 0.00068-0.00082% over the last decades, recent studies have revealed a high perioperative mortality of 0.8- 4%. Apart from anesthesia and surgery-induced major complications, perioperative mortality is primarily negatively influenced by individual patient comorbidities. These risk factors predispose for acute critical incidents (e.g., myocardial infarction); however, the majority of fatal complications are a result of slowly progressing conditions, particularly infections or the sequelae of systemic inflammation. This implicates a broad window of opportunity for the detection and treatment of slow-onset complications to improve the perioperative outcome. The term "failure to rescue" (FTR), i.e., the proportion of patients who die from major complications compared to the number of all patients with complications, has been introduced as a valid indicator for the quality of perioperative care. Growing evidence has already shown that FTR is an underestimated factor in perioperative medicine accounting for or at least being involved in the development of postoperative mortality. While the incidence of severe postoperative complications amazingly does not show much variation between hospitals, FTR shows significant differences implying a major potential for improvement. With 14 million surgical procedures per year in Germany, a postoperative mortality of approximately 1% and an avoidable FTR rate of 40% mean that there are an estimated 60,000 preventable deaths per year. Hence, in the future it will be imperative to (1) identify patients at risk, (2) to prevent the development of postoperative complications with the use of adequate adjunctive therapeutic strategies, (3) to establish surveillance and monitoring systems for the early detection of postoperative complications and (4) to treat postoperative complications efficiently and in time when they arise.

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography incremental value in a rare case of a bileaflet tricuspid valve

Detailed assessment of the tricuspid valve using two-dimensional echocardiography is always challenging, as only two of three leaflets can be seen at a time. Three-dimensional echocardiography can provide the enface view of the tricuspid valve that allows simultaneous visualization of all of the three leaflets. In a 42-year-old male patient scheduled for pulmonary endarterectomy, 3DTEE showed that the tricuspid valve is bileaflet, with one septal and another lateral leaflet. There were two commissures, one of them is anteriorly positioned and the other one is posterior. Our findings were confirmed intra-operatively by direct surgical visualization of the tricuspid valve.

The Impact of Race on the Prognosis of Preclinical Diastolic Dysfunction: A Large Multiracial Urban Population Study

BACKGROUND

This study was performed to assess the impact of race on the incidence of heart failure and survival in patients with preclinical diastolic dysfunction.

METHODS

All adults during a 5-year period with grade 1 diastolic dysfunction on echocardiogram, left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%, and no diagnosis of heart failure were included in this study. Clinical endpoints were new diagnosis of heart failure (International Classification of Diseases-Ninth Revision code 428.0) and all-cause mortality. A total of 7878 patients: 20.8% non-Hispanic White, 35.8% non-Hispanic Black, and 31.0% Hispanic individuals (mean age was 68 ± 12 years, 37% men) were included in the study. Non-Hispanic Whites were older, more frequently male, and had a higher mean socioeconomic status and more antecedent myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics had more hypertension, diabetes, renal disease, and cerebrovascular disease. After a median follow-up time of 6 years, 1356 patients developed heart failure and 2078 patients died. The 10-year cumulative probabilities of heart failure and all-cause mortality were 23.9% and 32.6%, respectively. Time to incident heart failure was similar among the 3 racial groups. However, non-Hispanic Blacks (hazard ratio 0.80, P = .002) and Hispanics (hazard ratio 0.67, P < .001) experienced lower mortality compared with non-Hispanic Whites, which was confirmed on a propensity-scored sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Time to heart failure was similar among the 3 racial groups, however, non-Hispanic Whites experienced worse survival compared with non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics, despite their higher burden of risk factors. The reasons for worse survival in the non-Hispanic white population need to be further explored.

Intraoperative three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for evaluating an unusual structure in the left ventricular outflow tract: a case report

Intraoperative three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) facilitates an understanding of the complex cardiac pathology that is not fully delineated in a two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic evaluation, and it suggests earlier and more precise surgical planning and intraoperative decision making. In the present case, the intraoperative 2D-TEE midesophageal long-axis view indicated a significant narrowing of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) area by a band-like structure that vertically traversed the middle of the LVOT and connected to the anterior mitral leaflet base and the interventricular septum. However, additional 3D-TEE images of the LVOT and their cropped and rendered 2D images showed that web-like tissue, which presumably had grown around the patch closure from a previous atrioventricular septal defect, was obstructing the LVOT partially.

[Application fields of intraoperative transesophageal 3D echocardiography]

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an established diagnostic tool and has to be regarded as the standard of care for intraoperative monitoring and cardiac surgical decision-making. Furthermore, intraoperative TEE is also used for monitoring and assessment of hemodynamic changes and the detection of previously unknown pathologies. In the past few years 3D-TEE has extended the spectrum of 2D-TEE by allowing pathomorphological features to be more easily and intuitively linked to the anatomy of the heart and the great vessels. Thus, a comprehensive 2D-TEE examination is favorably complemented by focused 3D-TEE. Especially during mitral valve surgery, 3D-TEE has proven its superiority in the diagnosis of the underlying pathology as demonstrated by a large number of studies in this field. This review presents the available data about the role of intraoperative 3D-TEE echocardiography and introduces practical fields of application.

Management of organic mitral regurgitation: guideline recommendations and controversies

Mitral regurgitation (MR) represents the second most frequent valvular heart disease. The appropriate management of organic MR remains unclear in many aspects, especially in several specific clinical scenarios. This review aims to discuss the current guideline recommendations regarding the management of organic MR, while highlighting the controversial aspects encountered in daily clinical practice. The role of imaging is essential in establishing the most appropriate type of surgical treatment (repair or replace), which is based on morphological mitral valve (MV) characteristics (reparability of the valve) and local surgical expertise in valve repair. The potential advantages of 3-dimensional echocardiography in assessing the MV are discussed. Other modern imaging techniques (tissue Doppler and speckle tracking) may provide additional useful information in borderline cases. Exercise echocardiography (evaluating MR severity, pulmonary pressure, or right ventricular function) may have an important role in the management of difficult cases. Finally, the moment when surgery is no longer an option and alternative solutions should be sought is also discussed. Although in everyday clinical practice the timing of surgery is not always straightforward, some newer clinical and echocardiographic indicators can guide this decision and help improve the outcome of these patients.

Can simulation help to answer the demand for echocardiography education?

There has been a recent explosion of education and training in echocardiography in the specialties of anesthesiology and critical care. These devices, by their impact on clinical management, are changing the way surgery is performed and critical care is delivered. A number of international bodies have made recommendations for training and developed examinations and accreditations.The challenge to medical educators in this area is to deliver the training needed to achieve competence into already over-stretched curricula.The authors found an apparent increase in the use of simulators, with proven efficacy in improving technical skills and knowledge. There is still an absence of evidence on how it should be included in training programs and in the accreditation of certain levels.There is a conviction that this form of simulation can enhance and accelerate the understanding and practice of echocardiography by the anesthesiologist and intensivists, particularly at the beginning of the learning curve.

Image quality influences the assessment of left ventricular function: an intraoperative comparison of five 2-dimensional echocardiographic methods with real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography as a reference

OBJECTIVES

Transesophageal echocardiography has become a standard tool for evaluating left ventricular function during cardiac surgery. However, the image quality varies widely between patients and examinations. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the image quality on 5 commonly used 2-dimensional methods.

METHODS

Transesophageal real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) served as a reference. Left ventricular function was evaluated in 63 patients with sufficient real-time 3DE image quality. The image quality was rated using the ratio of the visualized border divided by the total endocardial border. These ratings were used to generate groups of poor (0%-40%), fair (41%-70%), and good (71%-100%) image quality. The ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume, and end-systolic volume were analyzed by the Simpson method of disks (biplane and monoplane), eyeball method, Teichholz method, and speckle-tracking method. Furthermore, the fractional area change was determined. Each correlation with real-time 3DE was evaluated.

RESULTS

Correlations of the EF and volumes, respectively, as determined by long-axis view methods increased with improving image quality: the Simpson biplane method was found to be the most accurate method, with good image quality for the EF (r = 0.946) and volumes (end-diastolic volume, r = 0.962; end-systolic volume, r = 0.989). Correlations of the EF and fractional area change by short-axis view methods decreased with improving image quality, with the Teichholz EF found to be most accurate with poor (r = 0.928) in contrast to good (r = 0.699) image quality.

CONCLUSIONS

With good image quality, the Simpson biplane method is the most accurate 2-dimensional method for assessing the left ventricular EF. Short-axis view methods, especially the Teichholz method yield better correlations with poor image quality. The eyeball method was unaffected by image quality.

Three-dimensional echocardiography and en face views of the aortic valve: technical communication

With the resurgence in popularity of aortic valve (AV) repair, detailed anatomical information of the AV has become invaluable for surgical decision making as well as for evaluation of success postrepair. Perioperative 3-dimensional echocardiography is optimally suited to assist in repair planning. The volumetric nature of the 3-dimensional data allows accurate derivation of qualitative and quantitative measurements. A uniform approach to imaging and description of echocardiographic AV anatomy is essential to facilitate communication across specialties.

Perioperative Echocardiography

Echocardiography has been utilized perioperatively since the 1970s and many studies have been conducted to prove its efficacy. Epicardiac echocardiography (EE) is the modality of choice when transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is contraindicated or when aortic atherosclerosis is suspected. Perioperative TEE has shown to be an excellent tool in the operating room for assessment, diagnosis, surgical guidance, and outcome evaluation. Pediatric surgery has also shown better surgical outcomes for congenital disease states with the guidance of TEE. The cardiac Sonographer’s role in the operating room is a very important one because it involves operating the ultrasound machine and communicating image interpretations to surgeons in a timely and efficient manner. Cardiac Sonographers eager to progress in their careers can take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their clinical and educational qualifications. Technology is advancing quickly with the breakthrough of 3D and 4D TEE, where images are captured in real time, providing improved diagnoses and prognosis. This article discusses the evolution of echocardiography in the operating room and its future impact on perioperative evaluation, with attention paid to the role of cardiac Sonographers and the future clinical progression in their scope of practice.

[Real-time 3 dimensional full volume data set : benefits in problem focused intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography]

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive intraoperative transesophageal echcardiography (TEE) includes various measurements for quantification of cardiac chambers and valves based on multiple two dimensional (2D) standard views. Due to shortness of time during cardiac surgery most centres in Germany only carry out problem focussed intraoperative examinations which does not allow the complete repertoire of measurements to be exhausted. The aim of this study was to investigate which measurements for cardiac chamber and valve quantification can be performed with the acquisition of a real-time 3D full volume (RT-3D-FV) data set and to compare these measurements with those based on standard 2D views.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In patients undergoing elective surgical mitral valve repair a comprehensive 2D TEE examination according to the guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) was performed after induction of anesthesia. Additionally, a RT-3D-FV TEE data set based on the midesophageal four chamber view was recorded (iE 33, Philips, Netherlands). All measurements of the 2D TEE and the RT-3D-FV dataset (Qlab) were performed offline by two independent examiners.

RESULTS

After approval by the local ethic committee and obtaining written informed consent 50 patients (31 male and 19 female) with a mean age of 59.4 ± 11.5 years were enrolled in this study. All measurements recommended for chamber and valve quantification could be performed on the basis of the RT-3D-FV data set except for measurements of the sinus of Valsalva and the sinotubular junction. There was good correlation between the results of the two methods.

CONCLUSIONS

For intraoperative problem focussed TEE examinations the acquisition of an additional RT-3D-FV TEE data set allows accurate measurement of most of the recommended chamber and valve quantification parameters.