Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiographic Guidance in Cardiac Surgery

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a valuable tool for diagnosing structural heart diseases, offering superior resolution compared to transthoracic echocardiography. It allows for real-time evaluation of cardiac valves and both systolic and diastolic heart function. Additionally, TEE facilitates the prompt detection of potential complications during cardiac surgeries, such as paravalvular leaks, iatrogenic aortic dissections, and pericardial effusions. Advances in imaging, including 3D echocardiography, have further enhanced the visualization of complex structures like cardiac valves, providing "surgical views" that improve preoperative planning. These features have also made TEE indispensable for postoperative evaluation of cardiac valve repairs and for intraoperative guidance during minimally invasive procedures. This review article aims to summarize the indications for using TEE as an intraoperative tool in cardiac surgery.