Transesophageal echocardiography experience in thepediatric age group in a tertiary cardiac center

The aim of this study was to evaluate the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) findings of pediatric patients in a tertiary center where complex congenital heart surgery and interventional procedures have been performed.

All TEE studies performed between December 2009 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 groups: perioperative, during interventional procedures, and due to other reasons. Demographic features, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) reports, TEE reports, change in decision after TEE evaluation, and related complications were recorded.

A total of 703 patients who had TEE evaluation were included in the study; 51% were female and 49% were male. The median age was 90 months (2 months to 18 years). TEE was performed perioperatively in 430 patients (61%), during cardiac catheterization-angiography and electrophysiology studies in 181 patients (26%), and due to other reasons in 92 patients (13%). Mismatches between TTE and TEE or changes in decision after TEE evaluation were present in 45 patients (10.4%) who had perioperative TEE, in 10 patients (5.5%) who had TEE during interventional procedures, and 22 patients (24%) who had TEE evaluation due to other reasons. No major complications were detected.

Information acquired by TEE increases the clarity of future plans for the patient and helps to decrease the mortality and morbidity caused by unnecessary procedures.