Echocardiography in the Critical Care Unit

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has been incorporated effectively into patient care in 90% of critically ill patients. However, despite its advantages in terms of its noninvasive nature, the quality of the images may be insufficient-particularly in chest traumas and intrathoracic surgery. That is why transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has replaced TTE in the intensive care unit (ICU), especially in patients with an endotracheal tube. Even now, there is a broad range of echo applications available to ICU physicians to enhance and improve their care of critically ill patients, with many new applications on their way.