Three-dimensional Echocardiography Is Essential for Intraoperative Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation

ince its introduction, 3-dimensional (3D) transesopha-geal echocardiography (TEE) has become widely adopted in operating rooms and cardiac catheterization laboratories worldwide. This is because the matrix-array 3D TEE probe allows acquisition of high-quality 3D images in real time with relatively little training. The rapid adoption of this technol-ogy has proven that this innovative imaging modality provides additional clinical information beyond that obtained from 2-dimensional (2D) TEE images. These developments have enabled medical centers to create integrated valve programs in which surgeons, interventionalists, and echocardiographers discuss cases and surgical approaches.