ABSTRACT
Both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography can be used for intraoperative or postoperative assessment of cardiac function, unexplained and sudden hemodynamic deterioration, suspicion of pericardial tamponade, cardiac ischemia, assessment of perioperatively placed ventricular assist devices, and a range of other scenarios.
Emergent intraoperative echocardiography (IOE) may be requested for evaluation of an emergency case when there was not sufficient time for adequate preoperative assessment or when an emergent situation arises during an elective surgical procedure. Emergent IOE should be performed with a goal-orientated individual approach. Intraoperative hemodynamic changes may have a profound effect on valvular lesions, especially the severity of mitral regurgitation. If necessary, the hemodynamic situation should be manipulated to determine the true or potential severity of a valvular lesion.
