INTRAOPERATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE STUNNED VERSUS INFARCTED MYOCARDIUM WITH THE SIMULTANEOUS USE OF TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AND THE MEASUREMENT OF MYOCARDIAL PH - 2 CASE-STUDIES

The ability to differentiate intraoperatively between myocardial stunn ing, which is reversible, and irreversible myocardial infarction has m ajor implications because it provides a rational approach to the use o r withholding of ventricular assist devices in patients with severe po stcardiotomy ventricular dysfunction. Two illustrative cases are prese nted.