Epicardial Echocardiography in Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery.
Epicardial echocardiography (e-echo) is a useful approach to intraoperative imaging for the smallest patients and in those with contraindications to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The e-echo has additional advantages that include improved visualization of anterior and vascular structures and three-dimensional capabilities. In this review, we describe the advantages and disadvantages of e-echo versus TEE for pediatric and congenital heart surgery with the goal of enhancing the utility and feasibility of the former among congenital heart surgeons. We also review the technique for performance of an e-echo and provide demonstrations of the images obtained for select lesions.
['Stern|Kenan W D|KWD|0000-0003-0016-9036', 'Emani|Sitaram M|SM|', 'Peek|Giles J|GJ|', 'Geva|Tal|T|', 'Kutty|Shelby|S|']
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures D002648:Child D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital D006801:Humans D010496:Pericardium D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted
epicardial echocardiography congenital heart surgery intraoperative imaging