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. 2001 Winter;6(4):206-10.

Visualization of the central pulmonary arteries by biplane transesophageal echocardiography

P Pruszczyk  1 , A Torbicki, A Kuch-Wocial, M Szulc, G Styczynski, A Bochowicz, M Kostrubiec
Affiliations

Visualization of the central pulmonary arteries by biplane transesophageal echocardiography

P Pruszczyk et al. Exp Clin Cardiol. 2001 Winter.

Abstract

It is suggested that transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), by detecting thromboemboli in the proximal parts of the pulmonary arteries, is useful in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. However, the data on visualization of the pulmonary arteries are limited. The extent of the pulmonary arteries that can be precisely visualized during biplane TEE was assessed in 51 consecutive patients (23 female, 28 male, aged 56.6+/-12.5 years) without structural heart disease. The main pulmonary artery and the right pulmonary artery were detected in 96.1% and 94.1% of patients, respectively. Although the proximal part of the left pulmonary artery was found in only 47.0% of patients, its distal part was visualized in 92.2%. During TEE, proximal parts of the lobar arteries on both sides were visualized in 88.2% of patients. Thus, the central pulmonary arteries including proximal parts of the lobar branches can be precisely visualized by biplane TEE in the majority of patients. Only the proximal part of the left pulmonary artery is difficult to assess.

Keywords: Pulmonary arteries; Transesophageal echocardiography; Visualization.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Visualization of the central pulmonary artery. dLPA Region of ramification of the left pulmonary artery; dRPA Distal right pulmonary artery; IT Intermediate trunk; LULA Left upper lobe artery; MPA Main pulmonary artery; pLPA Proximal left pulmonary artery; pRPA Proximal right pulmonary artery; RULA Right upper lobe artery
Figure 2
Figure 2
Main pulmonary artery (MPA) with the proximal right pulmonary artery (pRPA) visualized in the transverse plane. Ao Ascending aorta
Figure 3
Figure 3
(Top) Artefact (ART) often present in the proximal right pulmonary artery (pRPA). Ao Ascending aorta; VCS Superior vena cava. (Bottom) Examination in the longitudinal plane allows this structure to be excluded
Figure 4
Figure 4
Left pulmonary artery with its proximal (pLPA) and distal parts (dLPA). Visualization of intravenously injected intraluminal air microbubbles and the initial part of the left upper lobe artery (LULA) aid verification of the vessel
Figure 5
Figure 5
Examination of the distal part of the left pulmonary artery (dLPA) with characteristic branching of the left upper lobe artery (LULA)
Figure 6
Figure 6
Ramification of the right pulmonary artery in the longitudinal plane. Proximal parts of the intermediate trunk (IT) and the right upper lobe artery (RULA) are visible
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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