[Detection of atrial septal defects using esophageal echocardiography]

By means of transoesophageal (oesophageal) echocardiography (TEE) the authors examined a group of 20 subjects. In 10 there was clinical suspicion (physical finding, ECG, X-ray) of an atrial septal defect. Common precordial echocardiographic examination (TTE) and dilution of indocyan green by means of an acustic sensing unit were negative or only marginally positive and did not provide a final decision. By means of TEE the defect was confirmed in 8 subjects by the finding of anatomical discontinuity of the septum and the presence of coloured Doppler shunt flow. In two subjects the finding was negative, in 10 controls no pathological findings were detected. The authors confirmed that TEE is a reliable method which proves even slight shunts in the area of the atrial septum. It is probably the most sensitive existing method.