Pediatric Transesophageal Echocardiography by Means of a Miniature 5-MHz Multiplane Transducer

The development of a miniature multiplane transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) transducer for pediatric use is the latest development in TEE. Horizontal, longitudinal, and all possible intermediate oblique planes can be obtained with minimal transducer manipulation. We studied 48 patients with an experimental 5-MHz transducer, which contains 48 transmitting elements. The dimensions of the tip are 27 × 10.6 × 7.9 mm. Patients ages ranged from 2 days to 16 years, their weights from 3.6–67 kg. Multiplane TEE proved to be complementary to the single horizontal plane in assessing the right ventricular outflow tract, the left ventricular outflow tract, ascending aorta, the atrial septum, the atrioventricular (AV) valves, especially in AV septal defects, and double inlet left ventricle (DILV). Moreover, multiplane TEE was extremely helpful in judging the outflow tracts and ventricular septal defects in more complex heart defects such as DILV, double outlet right ventricle, and hearts with discordant connections. Multiplane TEE offered superb monitoring of cardiac interventions. We conclude that multiplane TEE provides new imaging planes and enables visualization of every major structure of the heart by unlimited scan planes. Multiplane TEE is indispensable in congenital heart defects. Thus, multiplane TEE adds to diagnostic assurance and enhances decision making for surgery.