[Perioperative transesophageal echocardiography in heart surgery]

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has proven to be a safe and useful method in open heart surgery. TEE allows the anesthesiologist to monitor global and regional ventricular function continuously and to optimize hemodynamic management. It offers the cardiac surgeon additional information and more safety with regard to planning and conduct of surgery as well as the possibility of immediate assessment of the surgical result. Correctly applied, TEE improves the overall quality of perioperative patient care.