The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) has published new guidelines for performing comprehensive transesophageal echocardiographic (TTE) exams in children and all patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).
Endorsed by over a dozen cardiology societies worldwide, the new document updates the ASE's previous recommendations published in 2005. It details TEE's technical considerations and imaging techniques, as well as the value the procedure can add to the management of specific congenital heart defects, according to the ASE. It also covers the use of TEE for guiding catheter-based interventions and discusses the need for specific training and educational pathways for performing TEE in children and CHD patients.
The guidelines were published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, and they are also available on the ASE's website.
