INTRAOPERATIVE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY - TECHNIQUES AND CURRENT APPLICATIONS

Intraoperative echocardiography has opened new dimensions in the evalu ation of cardiac surgical patients, and has contributed significantly to the improved surgical results. The use of intraoperative echocardio graphy has enabled the surgeon to image the working heart, to define t he operative anatomy and physiology, and to evaluate the results immed iately before the patients leave the operating room. This review summa rizes the current status and applications of intraoperative echocardio graphy in the practice of cardiac surgery.