[Perioperative applications of transesophageal echocardiography]

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a visualising ultrasound technique that has entered the arena of anaesthesiology and intensive care shortly after its clinical introduction in the early 80s. Due to transducer positioning close to the heart, two-dimensional echocardiograms render high spatial resolution of cardiac structures and in adequate views continuously demonstrate the complete course of cardiac filling and contraction. The high sensitivity of the method, numerous options to assess morphological and functional parameters, and the low related risk involved for the patient explain the growing interest in TEE as a perioperative monitoring device. This utilisation, however, is currently limited by the high costs of the ultrasound equipment, the demand for specialists knowledge, the cost-benefit relation not yet thoroughly explored and the little propagated knowledge of the method's capacity. In addition, the need for information is growing due to the permanent technological progress of the equipment, which recurrently requires actualization in evaluating TEE.