Transesophageal echocardiography simulation: A review of current technology

Abstract

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has experienced tremendous increase in interest and demand alongside the rapid growth of transcatheter structural cardiac interventions. TEE instruction prolongs the procedure, increasing the risk of probe malfunction from overheating and patient complications from prolonged sedation. Echocardiographic simulation programs have been developed to hone the procedural skills of novice operators in a time‐unrestricted, low‐pressure environment before they perform TEEs on real patients. Simulators likely benefit training in interventional TEE for the same reasons. We searched PubMed, basic Google, and Google Scholar for currently marketed TEE simulators, including foreign as well as US companies. We queried the vendors regarding features of the simulators that pertain to effective instructional design for diagnostic TEE. We also queried regarding the simulators’ applicability to training in interventional TEE. The vendors’ responses are reported here. In addition, we discuss the specific training needs for structural heart interventions, for which echocardiographic simulation could be a powerful educational tool. Lastly, we discuss the role of simulation for formative and summative assessment, and the advances required to improve training in complex procedures within the field of interventional echocardiography.

Point-of-care ultrasound in pediatric anesthesiology: considerations for training and credentialing

“…These courses aim to review salient aspects of ultrasound technology required for image optimization (physics and knobology) in addition to learning the basics of image acquisition. High-fidelity simulators have more recently been developed for both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography which can also serve as an educational tool [14,15].…”

Echocardiographic Hemodynamic Burden Parameters Predict Mitral Regurgitation Severity

“…Advanced imaging modalities like cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and computed tomography (CT) scan are gradually increasing recently due to the providing complementary data and suboptimal findings of echocardiography, especially in patients requiring additional evidence for making clinical decisions (9). Besides, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become widely used within the last two decades and has its own disadvantages, such as skill-dependent procedures, malfunction of the probe, and complications related to the long-term sedation of patients that make it inappropriate first-line modality (10). However, these recently developed modalities have disadvantages, such as high cost, requiring highly-skilled operators, and expensive devices, that make them not widely available in developing countries.…”