[Transesophageal echocardiography for evaluating left ventricular function]

By means of transesophageal echocardiography it is now possible to assess and to monitor left ventricular function during anesthesia and surgery. Furthermore, the determinants of the left ventricular function (preload, afterload and contractility) can also be evaluated in real time. Based on this information, a specific therapy can be started immediately should ventricular function become inadequate. In addition to global function, regional ventricular function can be analyzed at the same time. The detection of regional wall motion abnormalities can be most helpful for anesthetic management of patients with coronary heart disease and for the diagnosis of intraoperative myocardial ischemia.