Value of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Closure of Ventricular Septal Defects during the Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Objective:To study the value of echocardiography in closure of ventricular septal defects(VSD) during the minimally invasive cardiac surgery.Methods:One hundred and fifty patients with ventricular septal defect(VSD) were examined by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE).TTE usually allowed to select patients to be suitable for closure in this operation.During the operation TEE evaluated the exact size,position of the defect and inspected the occluder releasing.TEE observed whether the presence of residual shunt or not.Results:One hundred and forty-seven patients were closed successfully.After 3 or 4 days following,no residual shunt was found.Conclusions:TEE plays an important role in case selection,guidance of occluder device release and evaluating operation effect.