TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN THE PRESENCE OF LEFT ATRIAL CALCIFICATION

Calcification of left atrial walls is a rare finding that has been rep orted to hamper visibility of intracardiac structures during transesop hageal echocardiography because of the posterior location of the left atrium. We report a case of severe mitral stenosis associated with hea vy left atrial calcification in which we could obtain good quality tra nsesophageal imaging in spite of such a calcification. We conclude tha t calcification of left atrial walls does not necessarily imply a limi tation of transesophageal echocardiography.