Echocardiography before, during, and after interventions

Before intervention, a detailed echocardiographic examination is mandatory for the decision whether this procedure will be necessary, possible, and safe. During intervention, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is needed for the continuous monitoring of the procedure, immediate assessment of results, and complications. TEE results in a significant reduction of fluoroscopy time. After intervention, echocardiography provides information on long-term results and newly developed complications.