[A case of mitral valve prolapse diagnosed by transesophageal echocardiography during emergency laparotomy]

We described a case of severe mitral valve prolapse diagnosed and successfully managed with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during emergency laparotomy for obstructive ileus. As the nature of the surgical procedure and the condition of the patient did not allow us to spend time to perform full cardiac examination preoperatively, we decided to use intraoperative TEE for the determination of cardiac pathology and for the monitoring of ventricular function. We discussed the indication of TEE during noncardiac surgery in patients having cardiac complications. The anesthesiologists should be able to utilize TEE to make correct decision in the hemodynamic management, especially when the preoperative cardiac evaluation is insufficient or lacking.