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Review
. 2017;7(3):291-298.
doi: 10.1007/s40140-017-0226-5. Epub 2017 Jul 21.

Role of 3D Echocardiography in Cardiac Surgery: Strengths and Limitations

Edwin Wilberforce Turton  1 , Jörg Ender  1
Affiliations
Review

Role of 3D Echocardiography in Cardiac Surgery: Strengths and Limitations

Edwin Wilberforce Turton et al. Curr Anesthesiol Rep. 2017.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review aims to highlight the general and specific strengths and limitations of intraoperative 3D echocardiography. This article explains the value of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT 3D TEE) during cardiac surgery and cardiac interventions.

Recent findings: Recently published recommendations and guidelines include the use of RT 3D TEE. RT 3 D TEE provides additional value particularly for guidance during cardiac interventions (i.e., transcatheter mitral valve repair, left atrial appendix and atrial septal defect closures), assessment of the mitral valve in surgical repair, measurement of left ventricular outflow tract area for transcatheter valvular replacements, and estimating right and left ventricular volumes and function. The exact localization of paravalvular leakage is another strength of RT 3D TEE. The major limitation is the reduced temporal resolution compared to 2D TEE.

Summary: Three-dimensional echocardiography is a powerful tool that improves communication and accurate measurements of cardiac structures.

Keywords: 3D data sets; 3D modes; 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE); 3D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE); Cardiac surgery; Color flow Doppler (CFD); Echocardiographer; Full volume (FV); Future developments; Guidelines and recommendations; Interventions; Intraoperative echocardiography; Limitations; Live; Real time (RT); Simultaneous multiplane/biplane/X-plane imaging; Spatial resolution; Strengths; Temporal resolution; Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE); Transcatheter procedures; Valvular surgery; Zoom.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Edwin Wilberforce Turton and Jörg Ender declare they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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