Echocardiography in the ICU and OR: Basic and Advanced Applications

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) may improve intraoperative decision-making and patient outcome if it is performed and interpreted correctly. It is a very important tool during cardiac surgery with a significant impact on surgical care and anesthesia management. In 1999 the American Society of Echocardiography/Society of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists task force published guidelines for performing a comprehensive intraoperative TOE examination.