Trans-esophageal echocardiography during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) is fast becoming widely adopted technique for surgical revascularization of the heart. However, OPCABG presents with unique technical and hemodynamic challenges which require additions to conventional monitoring techniques. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides reliable and real-time information to monitor these challenges during OPCABG. TEE is an invaluable diagnostic tool for real-time imaging during OPCABG. It is beneficial not only in the intraoperative period but also in the postoperative care units for better patient outcomes.

Keywords

• off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
• regional wall motion abnormalities
• transesophageal echocardiography