Intraoperative echocardiography for atrioventricular canal: decision-making for surgeons

Intraoperative echocardiography has become a standard patient management tool in the assessment of the patient undergoing surgical repair of a congenital cardiac defect. Over the past 15 years transesophageal echocardiography has emerged as an integral part of the intraoperative assessment of the congenital cardiac surgery patient. The important role of intraoperative echocardiography is largely because of its ability to define complex anatomy, identify functional abnormalities, and recognize flow disturbances at the time of surgical repair. Intracardiac defects are particularly suited to the strengths of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography because of the unobstructed windows that can be obtained. This article focuses on how intraoperative echocardiography can guide surgical decision-making in the patient undergoing repair of an atrioventricular canal defect.