Transesophageal echocardiography in patients treated with ventilation at a polyvalent intensive care unit

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has a definite role in general ICUs where its indications are now generally accepted. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has widened the diagnostic scope of ultrasonic and doppler technology, partly by resolving the physical limitations of TTE. In this article the authors comment on their series of TTEs and TEEs, pointing out advantages, the diagnostic and therapeutic implications, especially in artificially ventilated patients. They conclude by emphasising the need to establish TEE as a routine diagnostic tool in general ICUs.