[Transesophageal echocardiography].

Transesophageal echocardiography is a new, semi-invasive technique for the examination of the heart and the aorta. Within 10-15 minutes it is possible to obtain good pictures of the anatomy and function of the heart. Diagnostic indications are native and prosthetic valvular heart disease; the method is particularly suitable for visualization of endocarditic vegetations, evaluation of embolic events or congenital heart disease and assessment of aortic dissection. In the intensive care unit transesophageal echocardiography is a new window to the heart, yielding instantaneous information on cardiac status. For the anesthetist it is the first method to provide perioperative beat to beat analysis of ventricular function.