Intraoperative Echocardiography

Abstract

Intraoperative echocardiography (IOE) is an important component in the management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It provides information about valve structure and function, ventricular size and function, and hemodynamics that is crucial to contemporary management decisions in modern heart surgery. Although IOE is used to monitor cardiac patients in the setting of non-cardiac surgery, that topic is outside the scope of this chapter. Intraoperative echo is an essential element in basic procedures such as valve repair, and also contributes substantially in cases where the surgical mission is more challenging or the patient’s perioperative risk is higher.