Is transesophageal echocardiography necessary before D.C. cardioversion in patients with a normal transthoracic echocardiogram?

Purpose: Transesophageal echocardiography has emerged as an accepted approach before D.C. cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.

Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty: a new look at an old procedure: a case report.

There has been little change in the technical approach to balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) over the last two decades. Large-caliber sheaths and extra-stiff wires have been used routinely to accommodate the large balloons used for this purpose. Consequently the morbidity (and possibly mortality) rates have been high.