Immobile transesophageal echocardiographic probe after cardiopulmonary bypass

摘要

TWO-DIMENSIONAL TRANSESOPHAGEAL echocardi-ography (TEE) has become a standard method of monitoring patients undergoing cardiac surgery. TEE provides valuable real-time information on myocardial contractility and volumes and permits the assessment of hemodynamic parameters and valvular function. TEE is an extremely safe diagnostic tool, particularly in appropriately screened subjects. However, there are risks associated with probe insertion and manipulation, including, but not limited to, esophageal perforation, damage to the oropharynx, thermal injury, buckling of the transducer, arrhythmias, and airway obstruction. The authors present the case of a patient in whom it became difficult to manipulate the TEE probe before separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).