Di Salvo Giovanni, Pozza Alice, Castaldi Biagio, Galzerano Domenico, Pergola Valeria
Department of Woman and Child Health, Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease Complex Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Heart Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
J Cardiovasc Echogr. 2024 Oct-Dec;34(4):203-205. doi: 10.4103/jcecho.jcecho_45_24. Epub 2024 Dec 19.
Despite its potential, pediatric three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) faced technical limitations due to the size and rigidity of early probes designed for adults.
In this paper, we present our experience in using the new pediatric 3D TEE probe in complex congenital heart disease (CHD).
Recent advancements in the field of miniaturization have led to the development of a new pediatric 3D TEE probe, specifically designed for young children (weight ≥4.5 kg). This probe features a smaller, flexible design and high-spatial and temporal resolution, enabling detailed views of intracardiac structures and real-time imaging crucial for complex diagnosis, planning interventional and surgical procedures. We used this new probe in pediatric cases (weight between 4.5 and 6 kg) with complex congenital heart disease.
In double-outlet right ventricle or in Taussig Bing anomaly the new 3D TEE probe enabled detailed assessment of ventricular septal defect and its relations with tricuspid valve apparatus, and provided details of mitral valve leaflets not detectable by the transthoracic approach, even in small children.
These cases highlight the probe's ability to provide detailed anatomical information, enhancing surgical planning and outcomes. The pediatric 3D TEE probe has the potential to be a game changer in defining intracardiac anatomy in complex CHD.
尽管小儿三维（3D）经食管超声心动图（TEE）具有潜力，但由于早期为成人设计的探头尺寸和刚性问题，其面临技术限制。
在本文中，我们介绍了在复杂先天性心脏病（CHD）中使用新型小儿3D TEE探头的经验。
小型化领域的最新进展促成了一种专门为幼儿（体重≥4.5千克）设计的新型小儿3D TEE探头的开发。该探头具有更小、更灵活的设计以及高空间和时间分辨率，能够提供心脏内结构的详细视图以及对复杂诊断、介入和外科手术规划至关重要的实时成像。我们在患有复杂先天性心脏病的小儿病例（体重在4.5至6千克之间）中使用了这种新型探头。
在右心室双出口或陶西格 - 宾畸形中，新型3D TEE探头能够详细评估室间隔缺损及其与三尖瓣装置的关系，并提供经胸途径无法检测到的二尖瓣叶的详细信息，即使是在幼儿中。
这些病例突出了该探头提供详细解剖信息的能力，增强了手术规划并改善了手术结果。小儿3D TEE探头有可能在定义复杂CHD的心脏内解剖结构方面带来变革。
