Development of a Rescue Echocardiography Protocol for Noncardiac Surgery Patients

Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a helpful diagnostic tool when hemodynamic compromise is encountered during noncardiac surgery. At our institution, a Rescue Echo Protocol was created to provide a structured means for requesting and performing a rescue TEE. We analyzed our institutional utilization of this service and found that it was used throughout the spectrum of patients' American Society of Anesthesiologists classifications and surgical services. We demonstrated that 72.9% of rescue examinations resulted in a change in management, supporting the use of TEE as a diagnostic tool during hemodynamic compromise. Accepted for publication April 12, 2018. Funding: None. Conflicts of Interest: See Disclosures at the end of the article. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Genevieve E. Staudt, MD, Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Suite 3116, Nashville, TN 37232. Address e-mail to genevieve.e.staudt@vanderbilt.edu. © 2018 International Anesthesia Research Society

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