Ecocardiografía transesofágica en pacientes pediátricos

transesophageal echocardiography is a semiinvasive procedure offering a second window to heart exploration. the specialist performing it should receive training in transthoracic echocardiography and esophageal intubation. in the pediatric patient, it is very important the preparation previous to the examination and, specially, the anesthetic and psychological aspects. pediatric probes are used in patients weighing 3 kg or over. neonatal probes are placed in children under this weight. transesophageal echocardiography in children is indicated in the transoperative of cardiovascular surgery, and during certain procedures of interventional catheterization as well as in the diagnosis of cardiovascular pathology when there is a deficient transthoracic acoustic window. the patient should be adequately monitored during this procedure, taking into account the absolute contraindications for its implementation, and acting with the kindness demanded by the pediatric patients. in cuba, the use of this procedure is little extended and, that’s why, physicians are not familiarized with the technique. a review of the important aspects connected with this procedure is made.