PEDIATRIC TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY BY MEANS OF A MINIATURE 5-MHZ MULTIPLANE TRANSDUCER

The development of a miniature multiplane transesophageal echocardiogr aphic (TEE) transducer for pediatric use is the latest development in TEE. Horizontal, longitudinal, and all possible intermediate oblique p lanes can be obtained with minimal transducer manipulation. We studied 48 patients with an experimental 5-MHz transducer, which contains 48 transmitting elements. The dimensions of the tip are 27 x 10.6 x 7.9 m m. Patients ages ranged from 2 days to 16 years, their weights from 3. 6-67 hg. Multiplane TEE proved to be complementary to the single horiz ontal plane in assessing the right ventricular outflow tract, the left ventricular outflow tract, ascending aorta, the atrial septum, the at rioventricular (AV) valves, especially in AV septal defects, and doubl e inlet Left ventricle (DILV). Moreover, multiplane TEE was extremely helpful in judging the outflow tracts and ventricular septal defects i n more complex heart defects such as DILV, double outlet right ventric le, and hearts with discordant connections. Multiplane TEE offered sup erb monitoring of cardiac interventions. We conclude that multiplane T EE provides new imaging planes and enables visualization of every majo r structure of the heart by unlimited scan planes. Multiplane TEE is i ndispensable in congenital heart defects. Thus, multiplane TEE adds to diagnostic assurance and enhances decision malting for surgery.