Use of the monoplane intracardiac imaging probe in high-risk infants during congenital heart surgery

Imaging options are limited in high-risk infants with small or abnormal oropharyngeal anatomy during congenital heart surgery. Methods: All cases in which the monoplane intracardiac echo probe was used for transesophageal intraoperative imaging over a 15-month period at a single institution were reviewed. Results: Eleven patients underwent intraoperative imaging using the intracardiac probe. Patient weight ranged from 1.96 kg to 4 kg. Adequate images of the anatomy relevant to the surgical repair were obtained in all cases. No adverse events related to probe use occurred. Conclusion: Transesophageal echocardiography using the monoplane intracardiac echo probe provides safe and effective imaging in patients who are not candidates for standard transesophageal echocardiography.