Critical care clinics
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Critical care clinics · Apr 1996
ReviewAutomatic border detection and three-dimensional reconstruction with echocardiography.
This article reviews two important innovations in echocardiography resulting from the recent advances in the capabilities of microprocessors. The first, automatic endocardial border detection, has been implemented on computers contained entirely within echocardiograph machines and is gaining wide clinical use. The second, three-dimensional imaging, is currently under intense investigation and shows great promise for clinical application. It requires, however, further development of the specialized transducer apparatus necessary for image acquisition and the sophisticated computer-processing capability necessary for image reconstruction and display.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 1996
ReviewMultiplane transesophageal echocardiography: examination technique, anatomic correlations, and image orientation.
Multiplane (TEE) transducer imaging is the most highly evolved TEE technology at present. New clinical applications of this technology will be realized as echocardiographers gain experience with it. Current limitations of TEE are likely to be surmounted as its use increases, and continuous improvements and miniaturization of the technology also will improve its usefulness in practice.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 1996
ReviewAssessment of left ventricular function and hemodynamics with transesophageal echocardiography.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays an important role in the evaluation of left ventricular function and hemodynamics in the critical care setting. The technique provides immediate data regarding regional myocardial ischemia, global ventricular function, volume, and the presence of cardiac tamponade. This article outlines the role of TEE in the evaluation of left ventricular function in the intensive care unit and presents practical information for the use of TEE in evaluating systolic function, diastolic function, and cardiac tamponade.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 1996
ReviewEchocardiography and Doppler assessment of prosthetic heart valves with transesophageal echocardiography.
This article examines the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the assessment of prosthetic heart valves. A summary of the commonly used artificial valves and their physiologic regurgitant flow patterns, as identified by color Doppler imaging, is presented. The hemodynamic evaluation of prosthetic valve stenosis using Doppler techniques is reviewed, and the diagnostic utility of TEE in identifying the complications of cardiac prostheses is discussed.
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Critical care clinics · Apr 1996
ReviewAssessment of endocarditis and associated complications with transesophageal echocardiography.
TEE offers many benefits in the evaluation of patients with IE. It provides increased sensitivity as compared to TTE in the detection of this disease, and is better able to identify and delineate many of the associated complications and hemodynamic aberrancies. ⋯ Continued advances in the technology of TEE instrumentation undoubtedly will lead to further improvements in our ability to assess and to treat patients stricken with this serious infection. Nevertheless, IE continues to exact a significant toll on its victims, and our efforts to diagnose, to treat, and to prevent it must not weaken.