Emergent transesophageal echocardiography in hemodynamically unstable obstetric patients.

Abstract

The obstetric population has an increasing incidence of comorbid conditions. These, coupled with the possibility of acute embolic events involving air, amniotic fluid, and thrombus, increase the likelihood of hemodynamic instability. Although the utility of transesophageal echocardiography to guide management in cardiac and high-risk, non-cardiac surgical populations has been well established, the emergent use in critically-ill parturients has not been comprehensively evaluated.