Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Oct 2004
Comparative StudyComparison of image quality between a narrow caliber transesophageal echocardiographic probe and the standard size probe during intraoperative evaluation.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become an integral part of the evaluation and monitoring of patients during cardiac operation. Until recently, the smallest TEE probe with multiplane imaging measured 13 mm in diameter. This size is now standard for adult TEE probes. Recently, a new TEE probe has become available (MiniMulti TEE probe, Philips Medical Systems, Andover, Mass), which has a diameter of 8 mm. Although using a smaller probe is attractive, the quality of images it generates when used in adults has not yet been examined. ⋯ In the adult, the larger probe provides better images, particularly of the RV and LV. In addition, important findings may be missed with the smaller probe. However, if the adult probe cannot be passed, the pediatric probe is a reasonable alternative.