Real-time assessment of renal venous flow by transesophageal echography during cardiac surgery

Abstract

Hemodynamic monitoring during cardiac surgery is currently based on pressure measurements from an arterial cannula and central venous catheter. While central venous pressure (CVP) is routinely measured during cardiac surgery, the hemodynamic impact of venous hypertension on end-organ perfusion often remains unappreciated. We present a case in which transesophageal echography (TEE) was used to observe the impact of CVP variations on intrarenal venous flow velocities during cardiac surgery. The patient provided written permission for publication of this report.