[Multiplanar transesophageal echocardiography: technique, methodology, and applications].

OBJECTIVE

To present the experience of transesophageal echocardiography with a multiplane probe, its methodology, the advantages, disadvantages and diagnostic improvements of this type of probe.

SETTING

Laboratory of Echocardiography of the General Hospital Gregorio Marañon.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of the first 1000 examinations performed on hospitalized patients and outpatients, in most cases to study either native valvular heart disease and valvular prosthesis or to search for embolic sources. We evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, initial difficulties and complications of this type of probe.

RESULTS

Multiplane probe provides continuous imaging from 0 degree to 180 degrees without need of intraesophagic movements. This type of probe increases the diagnostic capability of transesophagic echocardiography because it performs as a scanning of anatomy and pathological features of cardiac chambers and great vessels. Pulmonary artery and its branches, right heart chambers and tricuspid valve, inferior and superior vena cava, outflow tract of both ventricles, aortic root, pulmonary veins and segmental views of both ventricles are well analyzed. Also in native and prosthetic regurgitants jets, cardiac tumors and other masses, diagnosis and complications of endocarditis, aortic dissection and in anomalous return of pulmonary veins, multiplane probe proves to be more informative. There was no difficulties in the intubation despite the bigger size of the transducer. No severe complications occurred. The higher price and the initial more difficult understanding of the images are the only disadvantages we have found.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiplane probe contributes to increase diagnostic capability of transesophageal echocardiography without significant risk and it is an important and promising refinement of the transesophageal technique.