The Role of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography in Robotic Mitral Valve Repair

Background: Robotic mitral valve (MV) repair is a new surgical technique that uses small incisions. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for conventional MV surgery with the use of a median sternotomy incision. The aim of the present study was to delineate the utility of intraoperative TEE in robotic MV repair. Methods: Intraoperative TEE was performed in 22 consecutive patients undergoing robotic MV repair for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) over a period of 2 years. Before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), TEE was used to define the lesions of degenerative MR and the localization of the prolapsed leaflets, and to evaluate the severity of MR. During establishment of peripheral CPB, TEE was used to guide placement of the cannulae in the inferior vena cava (IVC), superior vena cava (SVC), and ascending aorta (AAO). After weaning from CPB, TEE was used to assess immediately the competency of the surgical repair. Results: Agreement between TEE and surgical findings was excellent: 92.3% (kappa, 0.873) for the lesions of degenerative MR, and 98.5% (kappa, 0.943) for the localization of the prolapsed leaflets. Under TEE guidance, all the cannulae (100%) in the SVC, IVC, and AAO were placed correctly. TEE demonstrated all the patients (100%) had successful robotic MV repairs. Conclusions: Intraoperative TEE is a valuable adjunct in the assessment of robotic MV repair. (Echocardiography 2011;28:85-91).