[Assessment of heart valve reconstructive measures using intraoperative transesophageal contrast echocardiography]

In 30 patients (6 mitral stenoses, 13 mitral insufficiencies, 12 tricuspid insufficiencies) intraoperative transoesophageal contrast echocardiography (TEE) was performed to examine the valve function after AV valve reconstruction. In the beating heart 1 ml of contrast medium was injected into the ventricle to assess the success of valve reconstruction by the extent of regurgitation into the left or right atrium respectively. In all 12 patients successful tricuspid valve reconstruction was detected. In 16/19 cases with mitral valve repair successful reconstruction has been demonstrated. In another 3 patients severe mitral insufficiency after valve repair was detected by TEE, finally intraoperative decision for valve replacement was made.