[Echocardiography as a Diagnostic Tool in Emergencies and Hemodynamic Instability]. / Rolle der Echokardiografie bei Notfällen und hämodynamischer Instabilität.

ABSTRACT

Echocardiography is an imaging method in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine which adds a new dimension to hemodynamic monitoring the direct visualization of the cardiac function and its disruptions. The review article shows the advantages and limitations of recent transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography in the diagnostic course of hemodynamic instability. For TTE and TEE focused examination techniques and sequences are illustrated with regards to their fast applicability to hemodynamic monitoring.