Objective: To evaluate the impact of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on surgical decisions patients undergoing cardiac surger in a Portuguese hospital.
Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed a series of 850 examinations performed between 2003 and 2009 in patients who underwent different cardiac surgical procedures. Medical records and TEE reports were reviewed to determine whether new information was found and whether this changed the surgical plan.
Results: Intraoperative TEE revealed new information in 32% of the study population and had surgical impact in 29% of all patients. TEE had the greatest impact in class I indications, but its use in class II indications also had a significant impact. No cases of morbidity or mortality were found.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that intraoperative TEE should be used routinely in all patients undergoing cardiac surgery.