• C T Shih, M W Yang, S T Lai, and C Y Lin.
• Department of Surgery, National Yang-Ming Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
• Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei). 1994 Mar 1;53(3):131-4.

BackgroundIntraoperative verification of the precise balloon position of intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP) is necessary and important. We introduced transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) as one of our routine intraoperative image monitor to accomplish this identification fluently, conveniently and also precisely.Methods56 patients who needed the hemodynamic support when weaning the cardiopulmonary bypass were introduced to receive IABP and the balloon position was verified by TEE. To confirm the accurate location, the position of balloon tip was rechecked with postoperative portable chest x-ray.ResultsThe balloon tip was attempted to locate in the proximal descending aorta, which was verified via TEE to be successful in 98.1% of patients by postoperative chest x-ray. Five (8.9%) patients failed to pass the balloon catheter at the first time due to high arterial resistance. One iatrogenic aortic dissection (1.8%) and one case in the wrong lumen (1.8%) were detected by TEE. No early death was contributed to IABP insertion.ConclusionsThe application of TEE in the perioperative period helps not only detect IABP complication early but also verify of balloon catheter position quickly. It can replace the conventional role of fluorography.

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