TOE

Transesophageal Two-Dimensional Echocardiography:  A Basic Examination

This section is designed to aid the beginning practitioner in interpreting and performing a nominally complete intraoperative study.  The first section consists of a 10 step sequence of standardized views and matching diagrams of the heart and great vessels.  A schematic representation depicts the corresponding axis of interrogation.  Finally, a variety of clinical presentations are illustrated.

Transesophageal Echocardiography:  Vertical Plane Imaging

Since biplane TEE imaging systems have the capacity to acquire both transverse plane and vertical plane scans, a complete biplane examination involves 2 separate examination sequences.  The methods involved in performing a 10-step transverse plane two-dimensional echocardiographic examination have been presented in section 1 of this series. The 7-step vertical plane examination outlined in this section constitutes the completion component of a biplane evaluation.

Multiplane Transesophageal Echocardiography: Oblique Plane Imaging

A multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) imaging system can scan the heart and great vessels throughout a 180 degree arc.  These scans can be conveniently divided into 4 groups, as follows: 1) Transverse plane scans (0 degrees); 2) Inverted transverse plane scans (180 degrees); 3) Vertical plane scan (90 degrees); 4) Oblique plane scans of the remaining “in-between” angles (>0 to <90 degrees and >90 to <180 degrees, respectively).

Transverse plane and vertical plane imaging principles have been outlined in previous sections in this series, while inverted transverse plane scans simply represent mirror images of transverse plane scans.  Thus, this description of oblique plane imaging completes an overview of the various component parts of a multiplane TEE examination.

Transesophageal Pulsed-Doppler Evaluation of Pulmonary Vein Flow: A Transverse Plane Examination

This section is designed to aid the beginning practitioner perform and interpret a pulsed-Doppler evaluation of pulmonary vein flow

Transesophageal Color Flow Doppler Imaging:  A Basic Examination

This section, intended for the beginning practitioner, presents transesophageal color flow Doppler evaluation of the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves, as well as the interatrial and interventricular septa.  The first section consists of a 5-step sequence of views of these structures, together with matching diagrams.  The views complement a standard two-dimensional echocardiographic examination.  Schematic representations are included for orientation.  Finally, a variey of methods for grading valvular regurgitation are illustrated.