The Implementation of a Preoperative Transthoracic Echocardiography Consult Service by Anesthesiologists.

We describe a preoperative transthoracic echocardiography consult service led by anesthesiologists. The implementation process and the patient cohort are described. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiographic examinations were mostly performed in patients undergoing intermediate- or high-risk noncardiac surgery and in patients with a higher calculated mortality risk.

Transesophageal Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Improves Right Ventricular Systolic Function Assessment in the Perioperative Setting.

Background: Perioperative evaluation of right ventricular (RV) systolic function is important to follow intraoperative changes, but it is often not possible to assess with transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) imaging, because of surgical field constraints. Echocardiographic RV quantification is most commonly performed using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), but it is not clear whether this method works with transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) imaging. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between TTE and TEE TAPSE distances measured with M-mode imaging and in comparison with speckle-tracking TTE and TEE measurements.

Echocardiography-based hemodynamic management of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction: a feasibility and safety study.

Background: Patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) are at increased risk of postoperative adverse events. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using echocardiography-guided hemodynamic management (EGHEM) during surgery in subjects with LVDD compared to conventional management. The feasibility of using echocardiography to direct a treatment algorithm and clinical outcomes were compared for safety between groups.