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CLINICAL MANUAL
AND REVIEW OF
TRANSESOPHAGEAL
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
Third Edition
Edited by

Joseph P. Mathew, MD, Alina Nicoara, MD, FASE


MHSc, MBA Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
Director, Perioperative Echocardiography
Jerry Reves Professor of Anesthesiology
Department of Anesthesiology
Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology Duke University Medical Center
Duke University Medical Center Durham, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina

Chakib M. Ayoub, MD, MBA Madhav Swaminathan, MD,


Professor of Anesthesiology FASE, FAHA
Department of Anesthesiology Professor of Anesthesiology
Duke University Medical Center Vice-Chair, Faculty Development
Durham, North Carolina Department of Anesthesiology
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina

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Contents

Contributors ix
Foreword xiii
Preface xv

1. FUNDAMENTALS OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Chapter 1 PHYSICS OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND DOPPLER IMAGING 3


Brian P. Barrick, Mihai V. Podgoreanu, and Edward K. Prokop

Chapter 2 THETEE PROBE 18


Joseph A. Sivak, Jose Rivera, and Zainab Samad

Chapter 3 UNDERSTANDING ULTRASOUND SYSTEM CONTROLS 30


Hillary B. Hrabak, Ashlee Davis, and David B. Adams

Chapter4 TRANSESOPHAGEAL TOMOGRAPHIC VIEWS 50


Ryan E. Lauer andJoseph P. Mathew

Chapter 5 QUANTITATIVE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 98


Feroze Mahmood, Rajiv Juneja, and Khurram Owais

Chapter 6 ANATOMICAL VARIANTS AND ULTRASOUND ARTIFACTS 125


Katherine Grichnik, Wendy L. Pabich, and AtifY. Raja

2. AsSESSMENT OF CARDIAC STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Chapter 7 ASSESSMENT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC FUNCTION 159


Undo D. Gillam, Konstantinos P. Koulogiannis, and Leo Marcoff

Chapter 8 LEFTVENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC FUNCTION 176


Alina Nicoara and Wanda M. Popescu

Chapter 9 RIGHT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION 214


Timothy M. Maus, Dalia A. Banks, Rebecca A. Schroeder, and Jonathan B. Mark

Chapter 10 MITRAL VALVE 237


Johannes van der Westhuizen andJustiaan Swanevelder
iv I Contents

Chapter 11 AORTIC VALVE 264


Mark A. Taylor, Saket Singh, and Christopher A. Troianos

Chapter 12 TRICUSPID AND PULMONIC VALVES 304


George II. Moukarbel Antoine B. Abchee, and Chakib M. Ayoub

Chapter 13 EPICARDIAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AND EPIAORTIC


ULTRASONOGRAPHY 327
Stanton K. Sheman and Kathryn E. Glas

3. CLINICAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Chapter 14 MITRAL VALVE REPAIR 341


Ghassan Sleilaty, lssam El-Rossi and Victor Jebara

Chapter 15 PROSTHETIC VALVES 365


Brandi A. Bottiger, Blaine A. Kent, Joseph P. Mathew, and Madhav Swaminathan

Chapter 16 AORTIC SURGERY AND ATHEROMA ASSESSMENT 413


Madhav Swaminathan andJoseph P. Mathew

Chapter 17 ASSESSMENT OF MECHANICAL CIRCULATORY


SUPPORT DEVICES 435
J. Mauricio Del Rio, Carmelo A. Milano, and Alina Nicoara

Chapter 18 THORACIC TRANSPLANTATION 466


Sharon McCartney. Susan M. Martinelli, and Priya A. Kumar

Chapter 19 TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY FOR


CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE 486
Stephanie S. F. Fischer and Mathew II. Patteril

Chapter 20 CARDIAC MASSES AND PERICARDIAL PATHOLOGY 527


Nikolaos I. Skubas, Anne D. Cherry, and Manuel L Fontes

Chapter 21 VENTRICULAR DISEASES 548


Mahesh Prabhu, Chandrika Roysam, and Stanton K. Sheman

Chapter 22 NONCARDIAC SURGERY 578


Stefaan Bouchez, Svati H. Shah, and Patrick Wouters

4. SPECIAL TOPICS

Chapter 23 THREE-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 611


Alina Nicoara, Renata G. Ferreira, and G. Burkhard Mackensen
Contents I v

Chapter24 STRAIN AND STRAIN RATE IMAGING 649


Kimberly J. Howard-Quijano and Aman Mahajan

Chapter 25 TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION IN PERIOPERATIVE


TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 669
Madhav Swaminathan

Chapter 26 ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A QUALITY


PERIOPERATIVE TEE SERVICE 678
Christopher A. Troianos, Bryan P. Noorda, Shahar Bar-Yosef,
Rebecca A. Schroeder, and Jonathan B. Marl<

5. APPENDICES

Appendix A NORMAL CHAMBER DIMENSIONS 699

AppendixB WALL MOTION AND CORONARY PERFUSION 701

Appendix( DIASTOLIC FUNCTION 703

AppendixD NATIVE VALVE AREAS, VELOCITIES, AND GRADIENTS 706

AppendixE MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS 714

AppendixF MISCELLANEOUS 718

6. ANSWERS 721
7. INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS (ONLINE)
Alina Nicoara and Madhav Swaminathan

1 CARDIAC OUTPUT
2 CONTINUITY EQUATION
3 DP/DT
4 ESTIMATING CHAMBER PRESSURES
s PISA: MITRAL REGURGITATION
6 PISA: MITRAL VALVE AREA
7 PRESSURE HALF-TIME
B PROPAGATION VELOCITY
9 SIMPSON'S METHOD
10 STRAIN
11 TISSUE DOPPLER
12 TRANSMITRAL FLOW
13 3D TEE: LIVE IMAGING
14 3DTEE: ZOOM MODE
vi I Contents

15 3DTEE:GATED IMAGING
16 3D TEE: CROPPING
17 3D TEE: MITRAL VALVE MODELING

8. PRACTICE TESTS (ONLINE)

BASIC TEE
Khurram Owais and Robina Matya/

ADVANCED TEE
Mario Montealegre-Gal/egos and Feroze Mahmood

INDEX 749

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This Book's ISBN is 978-0-07-183023-2


To my mentors, Ors. Paul Barash, Jerry Reves, and Mark New-
man. How blessed I have been to have you all as role models and
to learn from such great leaders! Thank you for your commit-
ment, sacrifice, and legacy and most importantly, for instilling
in me a "vision for what can be" as well as the "passion for what
should be".

Joseph P. Mathew

To my parents, Rodica and loan.

Alina Nicoara

I dedicate this book to the many great people who have unself-
ishly given their time and talent to mentor and guide others. To
my mentors, teachers and friends, you have been an integral part
of my career. Working with you has always been a motivating
and memorable journey, which has guided me so far, and always
will. I hope one day to inspire others as you have inspired me.

Chakib M Ayoub

To Ratna, my wife, best friend, and confidante, for her


unconditional support.
My son, Raghav, for always inspiring me.
My son, Ahhinav, for his wit, humor, and sage advice often
beyond his years.

Madhav Swaminathan
This page intentionally left blank
Contributors

Antoine B. Abchee, MD [12] Anne D. Cherry, MD [20)


Professor of Clinical Medicine .As&istant Profes&or
Department ofinternal Medicine, Cardiology Department of Anesthesiology
American University of Beirut Medical Center Duke Univer!lity Medical Center
Beirut, Lebanon Durham, North Carolina

Chakib M. Ayoub, MD, MBA [12] Ashlee Davis, ACS, RDCS, BSMI [3]
Professor ofAnesthesiology Cardiac Sonographer, III
Department ofAnesthesiology Dula: Univer!lity Medical Center
Duke University Medical Center Durham, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina

David B. Adams, ACS, RCS, RDCS, FASE [3] J. Mauricio Del Rio, MD [17)
.As&istant Profes&or
Cardiac Sonographer Emeritus
Divisions of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology & Critical Care
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina Medicine
Department of Anesthesiology
Dalla A. Banks, MD, FASE [9] Duke Univer5ity Medical Center
Division Chief Durham, North Carolina
Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology
Professor lssam El-Rassi, MD [14]
Department ofAnesthesiology .As&istant Profes&or
Univer!lity of California San Diego Department of Surgery
San Diego, California American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
Shahar Bar-Yosef, MD [26)
Department ofAnesthesiology and Critical Care Renata G. Ferreira, MD [23)
Assuta Medical Center .As&ociate Professor
Td-Aviv, Israd Director of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Education
Department of Anesthesiology
Brian P. Barrick,. MD, ODS [1] University of Washington Medical Center
Professor Seattle, Washington
Department ofAnesthesiology
Univer5ity of North Carolina Hospitals
Stephanie S. F. Fischer, MD [19)
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Specialist Anesthesiologist
Brandl A. Bottlger, MD [15) Private Practice
Assistant Professor Johannesburg, South Africa
Program Director, Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology
Fellowship Manuel L. Fontes, MD [20)
Department ofAnesthesiology Professor of Anesthesiology
Duke University Medical Center Division Chief, Cardiac Anesthesiology
Durham, North Carolina Director of Clinical Research
Program Director, Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fdlowship
Stefaan Bouchez, MD [22) Medical Director of Perfusion Services
Cardiac Anesthesiologist Yale School of Medicine
Ghent University Hospital New Haven, Connecticut
Ghent, Bdgium
x I Contributors

Linda D. Giiiam, MD, MPH, FACC, FASE, FESC [7] Prlya A. Kumar, MD [18]
Chair, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Profusor
Atlantic Health System/Morristown Medical Center Director of Clinical ~eh
Professor of Medicine, Deparonent of Anesthesiology
Sidney Kimmd Medical College at Thomas University of North Carolina Hospital
Jefferson University Chapd Hill, North Carolina
Morristown, New Jersey
Ryan E. Lauer, MD [4]
Kathryn E. Glas, MD, MBA, FASE [13] Associate Professor
Professor Deparonent of Anesthesiology
Department of Anesthe.dology Loma Linda University Health
Emory University School of Medicine Loma Linda, California
Atlanta, Georgia
G. Burkhard Mackensen, MD, PhD, FASE [:Z3]
Katherine Grichnik. MD, MS, FASE [6] Profusor and Chief
Senior Vice President and ChiefMedical Officer Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
Indian River Medical Center UW Medicine Research & Education Endowed Professor in
Vero Beach, Florida Anesthesiology
Deparonent of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine
Kimberly J. Howard-Quijano, MD, MS [:Z4] University ofWashington Medical Center
Academic Chief, Cardiac Anesthcsiology Seattle, Washington
Director, Translational Research
Department of Anesthcsiology & Pcriopcrative Medicine Aman Mahajan, MD, PhD, MBA [24]
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Perer and Eva Safar Profes&or and Chair
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Deparonent of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Director, University of Pimburgh Medical Center Periopcrative
Hillary B. Hrabak. BS, RDCS [3] Services
Cardiac Sonographer II Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cardiac Diagnostic Unit
Duke University Medical Center Feroze Mahmood, MD [5, PE: Advanced TEE]
Durham, North Carolina Profes&or of Anesthesia
Division Chief, Cardiac and Vascular Anesthesia
Vidor Jebara, MD [14] Harvard Medical School
Professor of Surgery Boston, Massachusetts
Department ofThoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Hotd-Dieu de France Hospital
Saint Joseph University Leo Marcott, MD, FACC, FASE [7]
Beirut, Lebanon Assistant Professor of Medicine
Sidney Kimmd Medical College
Thomas Jefferson University
Rajiv Juneja MD, DA, MAMS [5]
Philaddphia, Pennsylvania
Director Cardiac Anesthesia & Critical Care
Medanta Institute of Critical Care & Anesthesia
Medanta The Mcdicity Jonathan B. Mark. MD [9, 26]
Gurgaon, India Profusor
Dcparonent of Anesthcsiology
Blaine A. Kent MD, FRCPC [15] Duke University Medical Center
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Anesthesia Site Chief, Halifax Infirmary Hospital Durham, North Carolina
Director, Periopcrative Blood Management Services
Dalhousie University I Nova Scotia Health Authority Susan M. Martinelli, MD [18]
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Associate Professor
Deparonent of Anesthesiology
Konstantinos P. Koulogiannis, MD, FACC [7] University of North Carolina Hospital
Attending Cardiologist Chapd Hill, North Carolina
Morristown Medical Center
Morristown, New Jersey
Contributors I xi

Joseph P. Mathew, MD, MHSc, Bryan P. Noorda, MD [26]


MBA [4, 15, 16] Associate Professor of Anesthcsiology
Jerry Reves Professor ofAnesthcsiology and Chairman Department of Ancsthcsiology
Department ofAnesthcsiology Allegheny Health Network
Duke University Medical Center Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Durham, North Carolina
Khurram Owais, MD [PE: Basic TEE]
Robina Matyal, MD [PE: Basic TEE] dinical Fellow in Anesthcsiology
Associate Professor of Anesthesia Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School
Staff Anesthesiologist Boston, Massachusetts
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical
Center Wendy L. Pabich, MD [6]
Boston, Massachusetts Attending Ancsthcsiologist
US Anesthesia Partners - Washington
Timothy M. Maus, MD, FASE [9] Swedish Medical Center
Associate Clinical Professor Scanle, Washington
Director of Perioperative Echocardiography
Department ofAnesthcsiology
Mathew V. Patteril, MD, FRCA, AFFICM, RCS [19]
University of California San Diego
Consultant Cam.iothoracic Anesthcsiologist
San Diego, California
University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire
Coventry, United Kingdom
Sharon McCartney, MD,
FASE [18]
Assistant Professor Mihal V. Podgoreanu, MD [1]
Department ofAnesthcsiology Associate Professor of Anesthcsiology
Duke University Medical Center Chief, Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthcsiology
Durham, North Carolina Department of Ancsthesiology
Duke University Medical Center
carmelo A. Miiano, MD [17] Durham, North Carolina
Chief, Section of Adult Cardiac Surgery
Surgical Director for LVAD Program Wanda M. Popescu, MD [8]
Professor of Surgery Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
Duke University Medical Center Director, Thoracic and Vascular Ancsthesia Division
Durham, North Carolina Yale University School of Medicine
New Haven, Connecticut
Mario Montealegre-Gallegos, MD
[PE: Advanced TEE] Mahesh Prabhu, MBBS, MD, FRCA, FFICM [21]
Ancsthesiology Resident Consultant, Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals
Harvard Medical School NHS Foundation Trust
Boston, Massachusetts Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Edward K. Prokop, MD [1]


George V. Moukarbel, MD [12]
Section Chief, Cardiac Diagnostic Unit
Associate Professor, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine,
New Haven Radiology Associates
Department of Medicine
Woodbridge, Connecticut
Director, Heart Failure and LVAD Program
The University ofToledo Medical Center AtifY. Raja, MD [6]
Toledo, Ohio Vice-Chair Ancsthesiology
Director Cardiothoracic Ancsthesia Services
Alina Nicoara, MD [8, 17, 23] AANC I WakeMed Hospital
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology Raleigh, North Carolina
Director, Perioperative Echocardiography
Department ofAnesthesiology Jose Rivera, RCS [2]
Cam.iothoracic Anesthesiology Division Cam.iac Sonographer
Duke University Medical Center Duke University Medical Center
Durham, North Carolina Durham, North Carolina
xii I Contributors

Chandrlka Roysam, MD, FRCA [21] Ghassan Slellaty, MD, MSc [14]
Consultant Cardiothoracic Anesthcsiologist and lntcnsivist Surgeon
Fttcman Hospital Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom Hotcl-Dieu de France Hospital
Beirut, Lebanon
Zainab Samad, MD, MHS [2]
Associate Professor of Medicine Madhav Swaminathan, MD [15, 16, 25]
Chair, Department of Medicine, Profes&or of Anesthcsiology
Aga Khan University V= Chair of Faculty Development
Karachi, Pakistan Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthcsiology
Department of Ancsthesiology
Rebecca A. Schroeder, MD [9, 26] Duke University Medical Center
Associate Professor Durham, North Carolina
Department of Anesthcsiology
Duke University Medical Center Justlaan Swanevelder, MBChB, FCA(SA), FRCA,
Durham, North Carolina MMED (Anes) [10]
Profes&or and Head of Department
Svati H. Shah, MD, MHS, MS [22]
Consultant Ancsthesiologist
Associate Professor of Medicine
Department of Anesthesia and Periopcra.tive Medicine
Vice-Chief, Translational Research
University of Cape Town
Director, Adult Cardiovascular Genetics Clinic
Groote Schuur and Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospitals
Division of Cardiology, Department ofMcdicine
Cape Town, South Africa
Co-Director, Clinical Translation
Duke Molecular Physiology Institute
Duke University
Mark A. Taylor, MD, FASE [111
Chair, Surgical Operations
Durham, North Carolina
Clinical Associate of Anesthesiology
Stanton K. Shernan, MD, FAHA, FASE [13, 21] Clcvdand Clinic
Professor and Executive Vice Chair Clcvdand, Ohio
Department of Anesthcsiology, Periopcra.tive and Pain Medicine
Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvanl. Medical School Christopher A. Troianos, MD, FASE [11, 26]
Boston, Massachusetts Profes&or and Chair
Anesthesiology Institute
Saket Singh, MD [11] Clcvdand Clinic Lerner College of Medicine,
Vice Chair fur Quality Case Western Reserve University
Associate Program Director Clcvdand, Ohio
Department of Anesthcsiology
Allegheny Health Network Johannes van der Westhuizen, MBChB, MMed
Clinical Associate Professor [10]
Temple University School ofMedicine Session Consultant Anesthesiologist
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department of Anesthesiology
University of the Free State
Joseph A. Sivak, MD, FACC [2] Haumann and Partners
Assistant Professor ofMedicine Bloemfontein, South Africa
Division of Cardiology
Department of Medicine Patrick Wouters, MD, PhD [22]
University of North Carolina Clinical and Academic Head
Chapel Hill, North Carolina Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine
Profes&or of Clinical Physiology
Nfkolaos I. Skubas, MD, DSc, FASE, FACC [20] Ghent University and University Hospital
Department Chairman Ghenc, Belgium
Department of Cardiothoracic Ancsthcsiology
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio
Foreword

Over the past 60 years, echocardiography has become the most important and widely used
imaging modality in cardiovascular medicine. And even though the core technology still re-
lies on the same fundamental physical properties of reflected waves, the variety of innova-
tions and applications that have evolved to enable sophisticated imaging of cardiac structure
and function in three-dimensional space is astonishing. The underlying principles are simple
enough: ultrasound waves are sent from a transducer, then the reflected waves are analyzed
in two domains: a time-intensity domain (to characterize the structure) and a frequency-shift
domain (to assess the speed of motion). With modern transducer technology and computer
processing speeds, echo images have greater spatial and temporal resolution than ever, and
the usefulness of echo across all forms of cardiovascular disease is without parallel. One can-
not be a cardiovascular specialist without an in-depth knowledge of echocardiography.
This volume goes a long way to addressing this need. While transthoracic echocardiog-
raphy is the initial approach for the majority of clinical conditions, transesophageal echo-
cardiography (TEE) remains essential since its introduction in the 1980s, as it provides im-
ages with much higher resolution, particularly in the cardiac base and in technically difficult
studies. This is crucial in the care of the critically ill patient or during cardiac interventions,
where diagnostic accuracy is paramount. Ors. Joseph P. Mathew, Alina Nicoara, Chakib M.
Ayoub, and Madhav Swaminathan lay a solid foundation for understanding the intricacies
of transesophageal echocardiography, from the basic principles of ultrasound to various
clinical applications of TEE, including its role in the critically ill, in monitoring heart function
in the operative theater, and in evaluating the immediate results of cardiac procedures.
This third edition of Clinical Manual and Review ofTransesophageal Echocardiography ac-
complishes the difficult task of speaking with ease to both the novice and the expert, while
updating the text of their second edition to include recent improvements in the field, in-
clusive of strain imaging. The authors cover all the novel uses of three-dimensional imag-
ing with a focus on those that apply to valvular heart surgery and the critical care setting,
offering wisdom accumulated through long experience. The illustrations and instructional
videos included with this volume reflect the authors' deep expertise in both the technique
and the teaching ofTEE; questions at the end of chapters and the TEE practice exams will
help prepare those who intend on taking certification examinations. This third edition also
incorporates a superb online supplement with instructional videos.
In short, this clinical manual and review of transesophageal echocardiography will en-
lighten the reader and promote the expert application of transesophageal echocardiogra-
phy in the care of high-risk patients.
William A. Zoghbi MD, FASE, MACC
Professor and Chair, Department of Cardiology
Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center
Houston Methodist Hospital
This page intentionally left blank
Preface

The third edition of the Clinical Manual and Review of Transesophageal Echocardiogra-
phy is intended to be an indispensable resource and the standard reference manual in
the field of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Completely updated, reorganized,
and expanded, this edition has been redesigned to offer anesthesiologists, cardiolo-
gists, cardiothoracic surgeons, emergency room physicians, intensivists, and sonogra-
phers a concise yet comprehensive coverage of the key principles, concepts, and cur-
rent practices in TEE.
Since the publication of the first edition in 2005, and the second edition in 2010, the
field has witnessed continuous growth at a rapid pace. Preparing the third edition was a
complex undertaking, as we attempted to balance content, format, style, integration, and
innovation, while recognizing the need to stay in the zone between excessively complex
and over simplified.
This edition features a sectional format, each containing chapters that were reviewed
and updated to provide a comprehensive discussion of the physiology, pathophysiology,
and echocardiographic approach for normal and common disease states. Whenever pos-
sible, important clinical information has been aligned with the principles of cardiovascu-
lar physiology, and echocardiographic techniques. In addition, narrative text, charts, and
graphs have been effectively integrated to provide rapid access to key clinical information
for the purpose of improving clinical management. With a dedicated section highlighting
the practice exam along the numerous multiple-choice questions after almost every chap-
ter, in addition to the online instructional videos provided to our readers, this edition will
serve as an excellent source of current clinical information on TEE for trainees and more ex-
perienced anesthesiologists preparing for board examinations in both basic and advanced
perioperative echocardiography.
In addition to several distinguished new authors, we welcome Dr. Alina Nicoara as a co-
editor. We have been privileged to collaborate with an outstanding group of colleagues
that are prominent experts in their fields. We are grateful and acknowledge their hard work,
dedication, selfless commitment and valued contributions in this collective responsibility.
It is their excellence, attention to detail, passion for echocardiography, and vast knowledge
and experience that allowed this project to proceed smoothly. We are also thankful to the
many readers of the first and second editions who offered words of encouragement and
even advice on how the book could be improved-many of those suggestions have been
incorporated into the current edition. Despite the changes, however, we hope that we
have retained the elements that made the first two editions successful.
Finally, we once again recognize and are indebted to our mentors-those who in-
stilled in us the passion for echocardiography. We gratefully acknowledge the contribu-
tions of Drs. Dinesh Kurian, Martin Sigurdsson, and Nathan Waldron in reviewing all of the
questions and answers in the book. Our sincere appreciation also goes to our assistants,
xvi I Preface

Melinda Macalino, Jaime Cooke, and Rabih Mukalled, for their dedication, enthusiasm, and patience.
In addition, we would like to thank the staff at McGraw-Hill including Brian Belval, Andrew Moyer, Jason
Malley and Christie Naglieri for their continued support with this project.
Joseph P. Mathew
Alina Nicoara
Chakib M. Ayoub
Madhav Swaminathan
Fundamentals of Echocardiography
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Physics of Two-Dimensional
and Doppler Imaging
Brian P. Barrick, Mihai V. Podgoreanu, and Edward K. Prokop

BASICS OF ULTRASOUND1- 3 ten-fold increase in intensity. This means that a sound


with an intensity of 120 dB is 1 trillion (10 12) times
Nature and Properties of Ultrasound as intense as a sound of 0 dB.
Waves Four additional parameters that are inherent to
the sound generator (transducer) and/or the medium
Humans can hear sound waves with frequencies
between 20 and 20,000 hertz. Frequencies higher than through which the sound propagates are also used.
this range are called ultrasound (US). A sountl wave can When referring to a single transducer (piezoelec-
be described as a mechanical, longitudinal wave com- tric) element in a pulsed US system, these cannot be
posed of cyclic compressions and rarefactions of mole- manipulated by the operator:
cules in a medium. This is in contrast to electromagnetic • Period: The duration of a single cycle. Typical val-
waves, which do not require a medium for propagation. ues for clinical US range from 0.1 to 0.5 microsec-
Three acoustic ftriables identify sound waves: onds (µs).
• Pressure: force within an area (measured in pascals) • Frequency (f}: The number of cycles per unit
• Density: mass within a volume (measured in kg/cm3) time. One cycle per second is one hertz (Hz). US is
defined as a sound wave with a frequency greater than
• Distance: motion measured in length (e.g., milli- 20,000 Hz. Values that are relevant in clinical imag-
meters, centimeters) ing modalities such as echocardiography and vascular
Three para.meters can be used to describe the abso- ultrasound range from 2 to 15 megahertz (MHz).
lute and relative strength ("loudness") of a sound wave: Period and frequency are reciprocals. Period = l /f
• Amplitude: The amount of change in one of the • Wavelength().): The distance travded by sound in
previously mentioned acoustic variables. Amplitude one cycle (0.1 to 0.8 mm).
is equal to the difference between the average and
the maximum values of an acoustic variable (or half Wavelength and frequency are inversely pro-
the "peak-to-peak" amplitude). portional and are related by propagation speed
• Powen The rate of energy transfer, expressed in watts through the formula >.. = elf
Qoules/second). Power is proportional to the square • Propagation speed (c): The speed of sound in a
of the amplitude. medium, determined by the characteristics of the
• Intemity: The energy per unit cross-sectional area medium through which it propagates. Propagation
in a sound beam, expressed in watts per square ccnti- speed does not depend on the amplitude or fre-
meter (W/cm2). This is the para.meter used most fre- quency of the sound wave. It is directly propor-
quently when describing the biological safety of US. tional to the stiffness and inversely proportional to
the density of the medium.
The operator can modify the three parameters
described, but it should he noted that modifying these Sound propagates at 1540 m/s for average human
parameters is not the same as adjusting receiver gain, soft tissue, including heart muscle, blood, and valve
which is a postproccssing function. tissue. Other useful values are 330 m/s for air and
Changes (usually in intensity) can also be expressed 4080 m/s for skull bone.
in a relative, logarithmic scale known as decibels
(dB). In common practice, the lowest-intensity audi-
Properties of Pulsed Ultrasound
ble sound (10-12 W /M2) is assigned the value of 0 dB.
An increase of 3 dB represents a two-fold increase Continuous waves are not useful for structural imag-
in intensity, and an increase of 10 dB represents a ing. Instead, US systems use brief pulses of acoustic
4 I CHAPTER 1

Pulse duration Wavelength Spatial pulse length


,-----,
' '

......._.--+--+-~----'--+-+-1-+~--......_1-+-+-~ Distllnce

Amplitude

Pulse repetition period

FIGURE 1-1. Physical parameters describing continuous and pulsed ultrasound waves.

signal. These are emitted from the transducer during that time-of-flight increases by 13 µs for every 1 cm
the "on" time and are received during the "off" time. of depth of the reflector. This value is important for
One pulse typically consists of three to five cycles. imaging and for Doppler US.
Pulsed US can be described by five parameters
(Fig. 1-1): Propagation of Ultrasound
• Pulse duration: The time a pulse is "on," which is Through Tissues
very short (0.5 to 3 µs). The most important effect of a medium on the US
• Pulse repetition period: The time from the start of wave is attenuation--the gradual decrease in intensity
one pulse to the start of the next pulse, which includes (measured in dB) of an US wave. Attenuation results
the listening time. Typical values are 0.1 to 1 ms. from three processes:
• Spatial pulse length: The distance from the start to • Absorption: conversion of sound energy to heat
the end of a pulse (0.1 to 1 mm).
energy.
• Duty factor. The percentage of time the transducer • Scattering: diffuse spread of sound from a border
is activdy transmitting US, usually 0.1 % to 1%. This
with small irregularities.
means that the transducer dement acts as a receiver
over 99% of the time. • Rdlection: return of sound to the transducer from
a rdatively smooth border between two media. It is
• Pulse repetition frequency (PRF): The number reflection that is important for imaging.
of pulses that occur in 1 second, expressed in Hz.
PRF is reciprocal to pulse repetition period. Typical Different tissues attenuate by different processes
values are 1OOO to 10,000 Hz (not to be confused and at different rates:
with the frequency of the US within a pulse, which • Air bubbles reflect much of the US that engages
is many times greater). them and appear very echo dense (bright). Because
PRF is inversdy proportional to imaging depth. sound attenuates the most in air, information distal
Because sound takes time to propagate, a deeper to an air bubble is often lost as a result.
image requires more listening time. Therefore, with • Lung, being mostly air filled, causes much scatter and
a deeper image, the transducer can emit fewer pulses results in the most attenuation of US by tissue.
per second. This concept will also be important for • Bone absorbs and reflects US, resulting in somewhat
the discussion of Doppler ultrasound. less attenuation than lung.
The rdation between the depth of a reflector and
• Soft tissue and blood attenuate even less than bone.
the time it takes for an US pulse to travd from the
transducer to the reflector and hack to the transducer • Water attenuates sound very little, mostly by
(time-of-flight) is called the range equation: absorption, with very little reflection. It is therefore
very echo lucent (appears black on images).
distance to reflector (mm)= propagation speed (mm/o6)
· time-of-flight (o6)/2 Within soft tissue, attenuation is proportional to
both the US frequency and path length, and can be
This allows the US system to calculate the distance expressed by the following equation:
to a certain structure by measuring only the time-of-
flight. Assuming that soft tissue has a uniform propa- Attenuation (dB)= 05 dB/(cm ·MHz)·
gation speed of 1540 m/s, or 1.54 mm/µs, this means path length (cm)· frequency (MHz)
PHYSICS OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND DOPPLER IMAGING I 5

Therefore, one may conchuk that highfaqumcy US


has pater attenWl.tion, has poorer pmewtilm, and is
kn tffictiw at imaging ektptr slrtlaUm.
Less than 1% of the incident US is usually reflected
at the boundary between different soft tissues. The
interfaces between air and tissue and between bone
and tissue arc strong reflectors and can result in sev-
er:i.l types of artifu:ts (see Chapter 6).
As the US beam strikes a boundary between two
media, three phenomena may occur:
• Reflection: can be further broken down into specu-
lar reflection and mjfose reflection or bac!tscattn
• Transmission
• Refraction
Reflection of the transmitted US signal is the basis Medium 1 Medlum2
of US imaging. It can occur only if there is a dllkr-
cncc in the ll&oiutic impetlance (measured in MRayls) FIGURE 7-2. An Illustration demonstrating refrac-
between the two media, and is dependent on the tion. In this example, the propagation speed of medium
angle of incidence of the US beam at the interface. 1 is greater than medium 2, resulting in a lower trans-
.Acoustic impedance is a property of the media, not of mission angle.
the US beam. It is directly proportional to both den-
sity and propagation speed of the material.
Specu/4r reflectors have large, smooth surfaces, or
have irregularities that arc larger than the wavdength
of the US beam. They arc angle dependent, rcffccting
US best at normal incidence (90 degrees, or perpen-
dicular to the boundary).
Samn- ~rs (the "signal" used in US imag- Lens
ing) have irregularities that are about the same size ElectrfCill
or smaller than the wavdength of US that strikes the leads
bounda!y. Scatter reflectors are also not angle depen-
dent. A special type ofscattering is termed Rayleigh «at·
~ng, and this occurs when US strikes an object much Rear and front electrode
smaller than the beam's wavelength (such as a red blood
cell). Sound is scattered uniformly in all directions. FIGURE 7-.J. Anatomy of an ultrasound transducer.
Refraction is a process a!sociated with transmission
and refers to the change of wave direction upon cross-
ing the interface between two media. Refraction can ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCERS
occur only when the propagation speeds in the two
media are different and the incident angle is oblique Simply put, an ultrasound transducer (Fig. 1-3) is
(Fig. 1-2). Refraction is described by Snell's law: a device that converts clcc:trical energy into higb-
frequcncy acoustic energy, and vice versa. US ttansduc-
sine (refracted angle)/sine (incident angle) = speed of er:s contain crystals that change shape when an electrical
sound inmedium21speed of sound in medium 1 potential is applied (mime pia.oelectric tjficf), as dW'-
ing soW\d trammi&sion, and also create voltage when
Thus, if the speed of sound in medium 2 is less mechanically deformed {;inlltkctric efficf), as dwing
than the speed of sound in medium 1, then the trans- sound rec.eption. The most common crystals in US
mission angle is less than the incident angle. Similarly; systems arc composed of lead. zirconate, and titanatc
if the speed of sound in medium 2 is greater than the (PZI). The frequency of the US generated by each
speed of sound in medium 1, then the transmission piezoelectric clement is related to the thickness and the
angle is greater than the incident angle. propagation speed of the crystal by the fonnula:
Because it violatts the assumption that US travels
in a straight line, refraction may result in image arti- Frequency (MHz) = the material's propagation speed
fu:u (e.g., a second copy of a true rdlector). (mmlos)/ twice the thickness (mm)
6 I CHAPTER 1

Focusing method Longitudinal Focal


(mechanical, electronic) resolution point

Focal length
--- --
Focal
zone

FIGURE t-4. Anatomy of an ultrasound beam.


In addition to the crystal, there is a backing amp allow for electronic focusing and steering of the
(damping) material with a high characteristic acoustic US beam.
impedance and ability to absorb US that is designed If all of the elements arc A.red simultaneously, as
to reduce unwanted rinfng of the crystal This leads in a linear switched array, the image would be n:ct-
to a shorter pulse length and improves resolution of angular and the focus would be fured. Changing the
the picture. The backing layer also increases the range pattern of time delays in element firing, as in phased
of frequencies (or bandwidth) around the resonant arrays, allows for steering of the beam, resulting in
frequency of the crystal. A wide bandwidth in an a wider scan area (sector shaped). It also allows for
imaging transducer is useful because it gives the oper- adjustment of the focal point.
ator a limited ability to adjust the frequency of the US Conventional 2D US transducer5-both tran.stho-
beam, thereby optimizing imaging. Frequencies wed racic and transcsophagcal-havc 64 to 128 elements
in ttanscsophageal cchocardfograpby (fEE) typically arranged in a single row. Current transducers have both
range from 2.0 to 7.0 MHz. full 20 and 30 capabilities, with fully sampled matrix
There is also a matching layer in front of the crys.- anay transducers rontaining a considerably Luxer nwn-
tal. This layer is de&igned to have an acoustic imped- ber of imaging elements per row, for a total ofapproxi-
ance between that of the traruducer matetial and the mately 3000 elements (fable 1-1).4•5 Novd electronic
soft tissue it contacts, thus increasing transmission of circuitries, improved ultrasound crystal technology. and
US. The ideal matching layer has a thickness of one- increased computer-processing power have led to 30
quarter of the wavelength. transducers with a small footprint and have fu:iliwcd
The sound beam produced by a single crystal the use of routine 30 imaging in patient care. This
whose thickness is one-half the wavelength of emitted topic is developed in further dcWl in Chapter 23.
sound spreads in a hemispherical pattern. The beam
emitted by an US ttansduce.r composed of several INSTRUMENTATION
crystals, however, ha& a cbaractetistic hourglass shape
due to constructive and destructive interference of Components of an Ultrasound System
the wavdets from each crystal. This is referred to as
Any US system has six components:
Huygens' prindpk. The focal point or focus is the loca-
tion where the beam reaches its maximal intensity Transdu(:Cll Converts electrical energy into acous-
and minimum diameter (Fig. 1-4). Here the beam is tic energy and vice versa.
about half the width of the iraruducer. The near area, Puhen Controls the electrical signals sent to the
or area between the traruducer and focu&, is called the transducer. Controls PRF, pulse amplitude, and
Fresnd z.one. The far area after the focus is called pulse repetition period. It is also responsible for
the Frawlhofer zone. electtonic stce.ring and focusing in phased arrays.
The simplest transducer can be composed of a sin- Rece.her: Processes returning signals to produce an
gle picwclcctric crystal that produces a 20 image via image on a display. Processing occurs in the follow-
mechanical scanning. More commonly, multiple ele- ing order:
ments are arranged in arrays. In linear switched amt:ys,
the simplest type of array, the elements are arranged in 1. Amplification: overall gain, 50 to 100 dB.
a line and fire simultaneously. In phased 11rrays (linear, 2. Compnulltion: more specifically, time gain com~
annular, or convex), the dements fire with very small peruation. Adjusts for increased attenuation
time ddays, on the order of 10 nanoseconds. Phased with depth.
PHYSICS OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND DOPPLER IMAGING I 1

Table 1-1. Summary of transducer properties.

Tr•nsducer Type lm•ge Shape Steering Technique Focusing Technique Crystal Defect
Mechanical Sector Mechanical Fixed Image loss
Linear switched array Rectangular None Fixed Vertical line dropout
Linear phased array Sector Electronic Electronic Poor steering and focusing
Annular phased array Sector Mechanical Electronic Horizontal line dropout
Convex sequential array Blunted sector None Fixed Vertical line dropout
Convex phased array Blunted sector Electronic Electronic Poor steering and focusing
Vector array Flat top sector Electronic Electronic Poor steering and focusing
Matrix array Sector Electronic Electronic Poor steering and focusing
Reproduced with permission from Edelman SK: Understanding Ultrasound Physics, 3rd ed. Woodlands, TX: Education for the
Sonographic Professional, Inc; 2004.

3. Comprt:ssion: reduces the dynamic range of the • Two-dimensional imaging is a line of B-mode
signals to match the dynamic range of the sys- echo data moved in an arc through a section of
tem's dectrical components. Does not change tissue in a back-and-forth fashion. This can be
the relative value of the returning signals. achieved with mechanical or dectronic steering
4. Demodulation: makes the image more suitable of the B-mode echo beam. Images are generated
as a series of frames displayed in rapid fashion to
for viewing.
produce the impression of constant motion.
a. Rectification converts all returning signals
into positive amplitude.
• Tluft,.dimensional imaging displays pyramidal
datasets consisting of volume elements or vox-
b. Smoothing converts signal bursts into a sin- els. The 30 datasets appear three-dimensional
gle deflection for each reflector on the 20 display monitors by creating the per-
5. Rejection: elimination of low-level signals. ception of depth through a range of colors and
Display: Formerly a cathode ray tube, now usually opacities.
consists of a computer monitor screen.
Determinants of Two-
Storage media: Archiving of data (optical disk,
DVD, network server). Dimensional Resolution
Muter synchronizer. Integrates all the individual The ability of an US system to image accuratdy is
components of the system. termed rt:solution. Spatial rt:solution is defined as the
minimum separation between two reflectors where
Ultrasound Imaging they can still be identified as different structures.
Spatial resolution has been described in terms of dis-
The modes of displaying returning echoes are as follows: tinguishing structures parallel to the US beam (lon-
A (amplitude) mock: No longer used in clinical gitutljtud or mtUd rt:solution) or perpendicular to the
echocardiography. Displays upward deflections with US beam (14teral Tt:solution).
height proportional to the amplitude of the return- Synonyms for longitudinal resolution include
ing echo and location proportional to the depth of axial radial range, and depth (LARRD). Synonyms
the reflector (x-axis: reflector depth; y-axis: ampli- for lateral resolution include angular, transverse, and
tude of echo). This mode only displays one scan line. azimuth (LATA).
B (brightness) mode: Displays spots with bright- Longitudinal resolution = spatial pulse length/2.
ness proportional to the amplitude of the echo and Therefore, longitudinal resolution can be improved
location proportional to the depth of the reflector by shortening the spatial pulse length. Given the same
(x-axis: reflector depth; z-axis: amplitude of echoes; number of cycles per pulse, higher-frequency US will
there is no y-axis). B mode echocardiography can result in a shorter pulse length. Longitudinal resolu-
be further classified as follows: tion is typically better than lateral resolution.
Lateral resolution is approximately equal to the
• M (motion) mock:: A continuous B-mode dis- US beam diameter, and it is best at the focus point
play. Displays one scan line versus time. Allows where the beam is the narrowest. The distance from
for a high frame rate, accuracy of linear mea- the transducer to the focus point represents the focal
surements, and tracking of motion of reflectors length. Focal length is directly proportional with the
(x-axis: time; y-axis: reflector depth). frequency and the transducer diameter. Therefore,
8 I CHAPTER 1

SMHz

lOMHz

lOMHz ~~-.-C.: -
/\ -
Spatial
- - -
Temporal
-
FIGURE 1-5. Transducer size, frequency, and foca l resolution resolution
depth. Sing le focus
Multlfocus Minimize llne density
High llne density Minimize Imaging depth
higher US frequency will result in a deeper area of Use narrow sector
fucu.s (Fig. 1-5) and less divergence in the far field.
Note that both longitudinal and lateral ~1u­ FIGURE 1-7. Relation between frame rate, spatial
tions are improved. with high-frequency US. In choo.t- n!Solutlon, and temporal resolution. Improving temporal
ing the settings of an US syatem, there i.s a tradeoff resolution Is achieved at the expense ofspatial resolution.
between the ability to obtain high-r.:esolution images
and the ability to image deeper structures (Fig. 1-6). 3. Using a nanow sector
The ability to accurately locate moving structures 4. Minimizing line density
at a gi~n time is termed tmtporrd molulion. Temporal
resolution is proportional to the numbers of frames Because using multifucus imaging and high line
per second (foz71U! rate). Factors that improve temporal density results in better lateral resolution, improved
resolution (f,y increasing the frame rate) an:: temporal resolution is achieved. at the expense of spa-
tial resolution {Fig. 1-7).
1. Minimizing imaging depth
2. Uang single fuc::us imaging (one pulse/line) Harmonic Imaging
.& ultrasound travels through tissue, it generates addi-
Ultruound
tional sound frequencies, which are multiple, or har-
frequenq monics, of the transmitted frequency. The farther the
US travels, the more harmonics it producc.s. By prop-
erly filtering the returning signal, which contains the
harmonic frequencies, an US machine equipped for
0 harmonic imaging can selectively display images cre-
ated with harmonic energy.

/\
The tcccption of the transmitted ultrasound at the
second hannonic (double) fu:qucncy improves tissue
visualization. especially in situations of poor-quality
imaging with fundamental fu:qucncy, by enhancing
both myocardial and valvular tissue. Normal structures

- - -
Image quality
- - -
Attenuation (tissue
may appear abnormally thickened; therefore, care should
be taken on interpreting harmonic images. Harmonic
imaging also in~ the signal-to-noise ratio and lim-
(resolution) penetration) ia the creation of anifu:ts, cspccially in the proximity of
the transducer (near ficld) 6 (see Chap~ 6).

PRINCIPLES OF DOPPLER
FIGURE 1-#J. Relation between ultrasound frequency, ULTRASOUND
image resolution, and tissue penetration. Image resolu-
The Doppler effect is defined as the eh~ in the fre-
tion improves at higher frequencies, but at the expense
quency of sound emitted or reflected by a moving
of tissue penetration.
PHYSICS OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND DOPPLER IMAGING I 9

object. The amount of change is termed the Doppler Spectral Doppler (in contrast to color Doppler)
shift. It is imponant to note that though both the can be further divided into pulsed wave and continu-
transmitted and reflected frequency are ultrasonic ous wave.
(MHz range), the actual Doppler shift is in the audi-
ble range (20 to 20,000 Hz). Pulsed Wave Doppler
The most common applications of Doppler US
are to measure vdocity (magnitude and direction) of Pulsed wave Doppler uses one crystal that alternates
blood flow and, more recently, tissue. The Doppler between sending and receiving an US beam. A timed
equation is as follows: pulse allows sampling from a discrete area of about 1
to 3 mm, sdected by the operator, known as the sample
Doppler shift (expressed in Hz) = (2 · v · Fi cosine 0)/c volume. This allows for range discrimination (Fig. 1-8).
Because the same dement acts as both sender and
• v = the vdocity of the moving object receiver, the transducer must wait fur the pulse to com-
=
• Fi the incident frequency, or frequency emitted by plete a round trip before emitting another pulse. As
the transducer an example, if the sampling volume is S cm from the
• 9 = the anid.e between the incident US beam and the probe, the transducer must wait 65 µs (10 cm/154,000
direction of movement cm/sec) befure sending the next pulse.
• c = the propagation speed of US in the medium (a Because sampling is intermittent, the pulse repeti-
constant 1540 m/s in soft tissue) tion frequency limits the maximum Doppler shift (and
thus maximum velocity) that can be measured accu-
If the object is moving directly toward (9 =
0°) rately. Velocities higher than this maximum vdocity
or away from (0 = 180°) the transducer and v is will appear to wrap around on the display, a phenom-
expressed in units of m/s, then cosine 9 is I and the enon known as aliasing (see Chapter 5). The Doppler
equation simplifies to: frequency shift at which aliasing occurs, equal to PRF
divided by 2, is termed the Nyquist limit.
Doppler shift= (v· Fi)/770
For example, if a 5-MHz transducer can only send
Because the Doppler shift varies with the cosine of out about 15,000 pulses per second, the Nyquist limit
the angle of beam incidence (9), the maximum mea- is 7500 Hz (15,000/2). Using the velocity equation
surable velocity decreases as 9 increases. When move- shown earlier, the maximum velocity that can be
ment is perpendicular (90 degrees) to the beam, no measured without aliasing is about I.IS m/s (770 X
Doppler shift is detected. Therefore, only measure- (7500/5,000,000)).
ments obtained with (9) smaller than 20 degrees are Methods to avoid aliasing include:
considered accurate. 1. Using continuous wave Doppler (described later)
In practice, the machine measures a Doppler shift 2. Changing the view to bring the area of interest
and cal.culates a velocity. It also assumes 9 is 0 degrees
closer to the probe (shallower depth)
or 90 degrees. Rearranging the simplified Doppler
equation to reflect this gives us the following: 3. Using a transducer with a lower incident fre-
quency (results in lower Doppler shift for given
v = 770· (Doppler shift/Fi) flow vdocity; see the equation earlier)
4. Adjusting the scale to its maximum
When reflected (backscatter) signals are received at 5. Moving the baseline up or down (makes the pic-
the transducer, the difference between the transmitted ture "prettier" but does not eliminate aliasing)
and reflected frequency is determined, analyzed by fast
Fourier transform, and then displayed on the screen as From a practical standpoint, pulsed wave Doppler
a Doppler envelope. This process is known as spectral should be used when measuring relatively low-flow
analysis and results in a display of the following: velocities ( < ~ 1.2 m/s) in specific areas of interest
(e.g., pulmonary vein flow, mitral valve inflow).
• Direction of blood flow: Flow toward the trans- Compared to imaging ultrasound, pulsed wave
ducer results in an increased frequency (positive Doppler requires greater output power, longer pulse
Doppler shift displayed above the baseline), whereas lengths, and a higher pulse repetition frequency.
flow away from the transducer results in a decreased When the velocity of the tissue becomes the object of
frequency (negative Doppler shift displayed below measurement (Doppler tissue imaging), the system is set
the baseline) as a low-pass filter. This means that low-vdocity, high-
• Velocity of frequency shift amplitude signals are preferentially displayed. Doppler
• Signal amplitude tissue imaging is discussed in more detail in Chapter 5.
I0 I CHAPTER 1

Pubed-wave Doppl1r Contln11out-Wn1 Doppl1r


- One ayn;il - Two c~ls: continuous transmission
- Unable to measure high velocities and reception
acam1tely {aliasing) - Able to measure high velocities accurately
- Range resolution - Range ambiguity
FIGURE 1-8. Characteristics of pulsed wave and continuous wave Doppler.

Continuous Wave Doppler


Continuous wave Doppler uses two crystals in the
transducer: one to constantly send US waves and
the other to continuously receive. The PRF can
thus be cruemdy high. This continuous sampling
allows determination of high-vdocity flow. However.
because echoes come from anywhere along the length
of the beam, continuous sampling prevents determi· Multi.gated
nation of the location of maxi.mum measured vdocity, Multiple scan llnes
termed range ambiguity (sec Fig. 1-8).
From a practical standpoint, continuous wave
Doppler should be used when measuring velocities
> .-1.2 mls. (e.g., regurgitant jets, stenotic valves).
Color Flow Doppler
Color flow Doppler is a pulsed US technique that
color-codes Doppler information and superimposes it
on a 2D image, providing information on the direc-
tion of flow and semiquantitative information on
the mean velocities of flow. It has the characteristics
of pulsed wave Doppler (range discrimination and
aliasing). Color flow Doppler uses packets of multi·
ple pulses (3 to 20 per scan line), and therefore has
a low temporal resolution (Fig. 1-9). It then employs
spectral analysis methods to estimate the mean vdoc-
ity at each depth. The information on the direction FIGURE 1-9. Characteristics of color flow Doppler.
PHYSICS OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND DOPPLER IMAGING I 11

. . .-... t _;
Nodopplershlft _____. velocity
(Nyquist limit) '\,.

- \.
··--1
FIGURE 1-10. Characteristics of color flow maps.

of flow and the magnitude of the Doppler shift are MI (> 1) sound beams result in bubble disruption
displayed as color maps, which can be ve/Qdty maps (extreme nonlinear behavior).
or varilln" maps (Fig. 1·10). A variance map contains The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
information on the quality of flow (i.e., laminar vs. limits the maximum intensity output of cardiac ultra-
turbulent); however, turbulent flow and signal alias- sound systems to less than 720 W/cm2 due to con~
ing will result in an apparent wide range of vdocities. cerns of possible tissue and neurological dam.age from
Also, in the case of color Bow Doppler, aliasing may mechanical injury.
introduce confusion as to the direction of flow. Color
flow and spectral Doppler are set as a high-pass filter
to eliminate tissue motion artifacts. REVIEW QUESTIONS1-3,s
A typical (but not uniform) convention for color
Doppler velocity maps is for red to indicate flow Basics of Ultrasound
toward the probe and fur blue to indicate flow away Select the one best answer for each item.
from the probe (BART= Blue Away, Red Toward).
A region that is black on color flow Doppler imag- 1. Which of the following is not an acoustic variable?
ing represents an area where there is no measured a. Pressure
Doppler shift. b. Density
c. Distance
d. Intensity
BIOEFFECTS 2. Which of tbe following sound wave frequencies is
US bioeffect:s include thmnal 4/'tcts and cavitation. ultrasonic?
In addition, mechanical effects (Vibration) may be of a. lOHz
concern. Thermal bwtjftas consist of a temperature b. lOMHz
elevation resulting from the absorption and scatter· c. lOkHz
ing of US by biologic tissue and is related to beam d. 10,000 Hz
intensity (tbe spatial peak and temporal average 3. An increase in tbe strength of tbe US pulse will
[SP'TA] intensity). The SPTA limits are 100 mW/cm2 increase:
fur unfocused beams and 1000 mW/cm2 fur fucwed a. Frequency
beams. Cavittllirm resulu from the interaction of US b. Intensity
with microscopic gag bubbles. Stable cavitation refer& c. Pulse duration
to forces that cause the bubbles to contract and d. Pulse repetition &cquenc:y
expand. Transient cavitation results in breaking the
bubbles and releasing energy, producing perhaps more 4. If imaging depth decrease&, pulse repetition fre-
pronounced c£rccts on tissues at tbe microscopic level. quency:
The mechanical irulex (Ml), a calculated and unitless a. Decreases
number, is used to convey the likelihood of bioef.. b. Does not change
fects from cavitation. At low MI (<O.I) the mic~ c. Increases
bubbles expand and contra.et in a linear fashion. High. d. Varies
12 I CHAPTER 1

5. An example of a Rayleigh scatterer is the: c. 60 degrees


a. Red blood cell d. 15 degrees
b. Kidney
c. Mitral valve 13. A sound beam strikes the boundary between two
media at an incident angle of 45 degrees and is
d. Pericardium
partly reflected and transmitted. If the propaga-
6. If the frequency is doubled, the period: tion speed of the second medium is slower than the
a. Increases two-fold propagation speed of the first medium, then the
b. Decreases transmission angle is:
c. Does not change a. Equal to the incident angle
d. Increases ten-fold b. Greater than the incident angle
c. Less than the incident angle
7. The wavelength in soft tissue of sound with a fre- d. Cannot be determined
quency of 2 MHz is:
a. 6.16mm 14. A sound wave leaves its source and travels through a
b. 3.08mm liquid. If the speed of sound through that liquid is
c. 1.54 mm 600 m/s and the echo returns to the source 1 second
d. 0.77mm later, at what distance is the source from the reflector?
a. 1540 m
8. The speed of sound is slowest in: b. 770 m
a. Air c. 600 m
b. Fat d. 300m
c. Soft tissue
d. Bone 15. The amplitude of a wave is:
a. The difference between the average and maxi-
9. Which of the following parameters of sound are mum (or minimum) values of an acoustic vari-
determined by the sound source and the medium? able
a. Frequency b. Determined initially by the medium
b. Wavelength c. Altered by the sonographer
c. Amplitude d. Twice the average amplitude
d. Propagation speed
16. Intensity is inversely proportional to:
10. Reflection occurs when the two media at the bound- a. Beam area
ary have: b. Power
a. Identical acoustic impedances c. Amplitude
b. Different acoustic impedances d. Amplitude squared
c. Identical densities and propagation speeds 17. The speed of sound in a medium increases when:
d. Different temperatures a. Elasticity of the medium increases
11. All of the following are true of refraction except. b. Density of the medium increases
a. Is a change in direction of wave propagation c. Stiffness of the medium decreases
when traveling from one medium to another d. Stiffness of the medium increases
b. Occurs when there are different propagation
18. Increasing the frequency of a transducer:
speeds and oblique incidence a. Increases wavelength
c. Is described by Snell's law
b. Improves axial resolution
d. Occurs with different propagation speeds and c. Increases depth of penetration
normal incidence d. Increases pulse duration
12. A sound beam strikes the boundary between two 19. Propagation speed:
media at an incident angle of 45 degrees and is
a. Can be changed by the sonographer
partly reflected and transmitted. If medium A has b. Is an average of 1540 km/sin soft tissue
an impedance of 1.25 MRayls and a propagation
c. Is slower in a liquid than in a solid
speed of 1540 m/s and medium B has an imped- d. Is determined by the sound source
ance of 1.85 MRayls and a propagation speed of
2.54 km/s, what is the angle of reflection? 20. Attenuation of an ultrasound beam results from:
a. 4 5 degrees a. Absorption
b. 30 degrees b. Reflection
PHYSICS OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND DOPPLER IMAGING I 13

c. Scattering c. 1/2
d. All of the above d. 3/4
21. Compared with backscatter, specular reflections are: 4. All of the following are true of linear switched or
a. Diffuse sequential arrays except:
b. Random a. Produces a rectangular image display
c. Well seen when sound strikes the reflector at 90 b. Defective crystal creates a line of dropout from
degrees top to bottom
d. Occur when the wavelength is larger than the c. Has a fixed transmit focus
irregularities in the boundary d. Elements are fired in a sequence to create an
22. Pulsed ultrasound is described by: image
a. Duty factor
5. In a phased array transducer, beam steering and
b. Repetition frequency
c. Spatial length focusing are produced by:
d. All of the above a. Manually rotating the transducer
b. Mechanically rotating the transducer
23. Pulse repetition frequency: c. Changing the timing of pulses to the piezoelec-
a. Is determined by the sound source and the medium tric elements
b. Can be changed by the sonographer d. Changing the resonant frequency of the piezo-
c. Increases as imaging depth increases electric elements
d. Is directly proportional to the pulse repetition
period 6. In an M-mode tracing, the x-axis represents:
a. Depth
24. When a sound beam strikes a reflector at 90 degrees b. Time
incidence, it is considered: c. Amplitude
a. Obtuse d. Frequency
b. Oblique
c. Normal 7. The damping material in an ultrasound transducer
d. Acute increases the following:
25. Sound waves can be characterized as: a. Pulse duration
a. Electrical b. Spatial pulse length
c. Duty factor
b. Transverse
c. Longitudinal d. Bandwidth
d. Spectral 8. The region or zone between the transducer and the
focal point is known as the:
Ultrasound Transducers a. Farzone
Select the one best answer for each item. b. Fresnel zone
c. Fraunhofer zone
1. Which piezoelectric effect does an US transducer d. Focal zone
use during the transmission phase?
a. Doppler effect 9. At the focus, the beam diameter is:
b. Reverse piezoelectric effect a. One-fourth the transducer diameter
c. Direct piezoelectric effect b. Half the transducer diameter
d. Indirect piezoelectric effect c. Double the transducer diameter
d. Equal to the transducer diameter
2. The most common piezoelectric material currently
used includes all of the following except: 10. In a linear phased array transducer:
a. Lead a. Image shape is a blunted sector
b. Zirconate b. Steering is mechanical
c. Titanate c. Focusing is electronic
d. Tourmaline d. A crystal defect produces a vertical line dropout
3. The optimal thickness for the matching layer as a 11. All of the following statements are true regarding
fraction of the wavelength is: the advantages of the backing material except:
a. 1/8 a. It decreases the Q factor
b. 114 b. It increases the spatial pulse length
14 I CHAPTER 1

c. It improves axial resolution c. Minimizing line density


d. The backing material decreases the transducer's d. Maximizing depth of view
sensitivity to reflected echoes
8. Components of an US system include:
12. The quality factor {Q factor) is defined as: a. Pulser
a. Bandwidth I Resonant frequency b. Receiver
b. Bandwidth I Nyquist limit c. Master synchronizer
c. Nyquist limit I Resonant frequency d. All of the above
d. Resonant frequency I Bandwidth
9. Lateral resolution can be increased by:
a. Increasing beam diameter
Instrumentation b. Decreasing transducer frequency
c. Focusing
Select the one best answer for each item.
d. Increasing gain
1. The US modality providing the best temporal reso-
lution is:
a. Amode
Principles of Doppler Ultrasound
b. B mode
c. Three dimensional Select the one best answer for each item.
d. M mode
1. The difference between the transmitted and
2. Increasing transducer output: reflected frequencies is known as the:
a. Creates identical changes in the image as an a. Bernoulli equation
increase in overall gain b. Doppler principle
b. Cannot be controlled by the sonographer c. Doppler shift
c. Causes no change in the brightness of the image d. Gorlin equation
d. Decreases the energy output of the transducer 2. Velocity is defined by:
3. Which of the following is used to create an image a. Magnitude
of uniform brightness from top to bottom? b. Direction
a. Compression c. Neither
b. Time gain compensation d. Both
c. Demodulation 3. When the angle between the sound beam and the
d. Overall gain
direction of motion is 90 degrees, the measured
4. The ability to distinguish two objects that are paral- velocity is equal to:
lel to the US beam's main axis is called: a. True velocity
a. Axial resolution b. Zero
b. Lateral resolution c. 20% of true velocity
c. Transverse resolution d. 50% of true velocity
d. Azimuth resolution 4. Current spectral analysis is achieved by:
S. If the US image shows no weak reflectors on the a. Fast Fourier transfurm
image, the best corrective action is to: b. Multifllter analysis
a. Increase overall gain c. Zero-crossing detector
b. Increase the transducer output power d. Time interval histogram
c. Decrease the reject level S. Modal velocity represents:
d. Use a high-frequency transducer a. Average Doppler velocity
6. The principal display modes for ultrasound include: b. Greatest amplitude of returned Doppler shift
a. Mmode c. Maximum Doppler velocity
b. Amode d. None of the above
c. B mode 6. Wall motion-induced frequency shifts are:
d. All of the above a. High amplitude, low velocity, low frequency
7. Temporal resolution can be improved by: b. Low amplitude, low velocity, low frequency
a. Using multifucus c. High amplitude, high velocity, high frequency
b. Using a wide sector d. High amplitude, low velocity, high frequency
PHYSICS OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND DOPPLER IMAGING I 15

7. Doppler wall motion fdters are: 12. The color map shown here is a:
a. Lowpass
b. High pass
c. Zero pass
d. Onepass
8. The maximal detectable freque.acy shift. or one-half
of the PRF, is known as:
a. Doppler effect
b. Propagation speed
c. Nyquist limit
d. Peak Doppler shift
9. The following pulsed Doppler spectral display
demonstrates:

...:•:
.=·-z-~ Sef"Y.'5 ·"'·- E
~· --.
-F:
.. 1;:•

~'
HC ~ ~ z .- E ":'.,.,~
:=t•l:O:'t:
~- . .....
::~_T 64
: :: o9E33 El 21' ~ SS
;4 ;2
:4 :~ "'
·F

'
a. Normal map
- -·•1 .-
,
,-- _, / b. Velocity map
v
" :: .
~
+ :z~ c. Variance map
d. Aliased map
13. The color map shown here is a:
~

;:r ::~
..
\'41 l'\·'"
,• o),
-I1~-_J.
, f ..... '
I or: :z

i~
..
_:, z. 3.2$:"1
• 2
,,
D::L~ · ... ; ; ,·;~ . ~ Ee~·;

a. Reverberation
b. .Aliasing
c. Mirroring
d. Side lobe
10. Color flow Doppler measw:es the:
a. Peak velocity
b. Mean velocity
c. Modal velocity
d. Instant2neous velocity
11. When color flow Doppler is used, the number of
US pulses per scan line is called:
a. Line density a. Normal map
b. Fwnerate b. Velocity map
c. Nyquist limit c. Variance map
d. Packet size d. Aliased map
16 I CHAPTER 1

14. In the figure, the anow points to a region (black) 16. If the alWing velocity of the color scale shown here
wbcrc: is 40 emfs, laminar flow toward the probe at 50
cm/a would appear:

a. There is no flow a. Red


b. There is no Doppler shift b. Blue
c. There is turbulent ffow c. Yellow
d. There is laminar flow d. Green
15. A color Doppler examination is performed with 17. When a Doppler shift ia displayed above the zero
the color map shown. If a red blood cell is traveling basdine:
perpendicular to the direction of the sound beam, a. Reflected frequency .is less than the transmitted
the color tha.t will appear on the image for tbia red frequency
blood ccll is: b. Red blood cclls arc moving away from the trans-
ducer
c. The sound source and reflector are approaching
each other
d. It .i5 called a negative Doppler shift
18. Continuous wave Doppler:
a. Cannot mcaswe very high velocities
b. Transmits and tcccives Uiuasound constantly
c. Is prone to aliasing a.rtifu:t
d. Is character.iud u a wid~bandwidth tranaducer
19. The Doppler spccttal display gt'2phically demon-
strates:
a. Direction of blood flow
b. Vdocity of blood flow
c. Duration of blood flow
d. All of the above
20. A 5-MHz transducer with a pulae repetition fre..
a. Red quency of 5600 Hz is imaging to a depth of 5.6 cm.
b. Orange The Nyquist frequency .is:
c. Black a. 2.8MHz
d. Yellow b. 2.8 dB
PHYSICS OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND DOPPLER IMAGING I 17

c. 2.8kHz c. Spatial average temporal peak (SATP)


d.. 2500 Hz d. Spatial average temporal average (SATA)
21. Compared with pulsed imaging (2D), pulsed wave 2. Which of the following modalities has the lowest
Doppler: intensity value?
a. Causes less acoustic exposure a. Pulsed wave Doppler
b. Has tower output power b. Continuous wave Doppler
c. Use& shoner pulse repetition periods c. M rn.ode/B mode
d.. Uses shoner pulse lengths d. All of the above have the same intensity
22. Color Doppler: 3. C.Ontraction and ei;pans.ion ofgas bubbles is known as:
a. Report& average vdocities a. Transient cavitation
b. Use& continuous wave US b. Stable cavitation
c. Does not provide range resolution c. Attenuation
d. Is not subject to aliasing d. Panide motion
23. The following principle is true of color Doppler 4. US bioeffects can be cawed by all of the following
imaging: except:
a. Rtd always represents flow toward the trans- a. Thermal effects
ducer b. Mechanical effects
b. Turbulent flow is indicated as black c. Scan conversion
c. Blue always .indicates flow away from the trans- d. Cavitation
ducer 5. A number developed to predict the likd.ihood of
d. Color Doppler examinations tend to have lower cavitation-induced bioeffccts is called:
temporal resolution a. Duty factor
24. Blood flow .in the imaged vessd is moving (as b. Mechanical index
labeled on the image) from: c. Pulsatility .index
a. Right to left d. Resistivity index
b. Right to left and then left to right 6. Acoustic exposure to the patient is increased by:
c. Left to right a. Incn:ase .in receiver gain
d. Left to right and then right to left b. Dec.rease in pulse repetition frequency
c. Application of reject
d. Increase .in examination time

REFERENCES
I. Edelman SK. Untinndrulint Ulmtmnul Phpif:t. 3rd ed. Wood·
lands, TX: Education for die Sonographlc Profcaslo11ial, Inc.;
2004.
2. Edelman SK. U"""'11unJ Physia ltnd IMnRnnlt41io11. Wood-
lancl.. TX: Educ;adon lOr die Sonographlc Profuulonal, Inc.;
2007.
3. Weyman AE. Princi/la aNl Prtzai&e of&hot4rrli"f!t1Pby. Phila-
delphia, PA: Lea&: Pebigcr, 1993.
4. Jungwinh B, M~ GB. R.eal·tlme 3-dlmenslo11al edio·
carcl.iography l.n the operating room. Smt/11 O.wlillthtJrt1e V.-
Bioaffects An.mh. 2008;12(4):248-264.
5. Salgo IS. T~111io11al cchocanliographic tt.chnology.
Select the one but answer for each item. CttnlWI Ciin. 2007;25(2):231-239.
6. Ca!dahl K. Kart.am E, IJclbctg J, et al. New concept In cchocar-
1. The most relevant intensity with respect to tissue diography: harmonic imaging of tissue without the usc of con-
heating is: uast agent. Lwwer. 1'98;352(9136):1264-1270.
a. Spatial peak temporal average (SPTA)
b. Spatial peak temporal peak (SPTP)
The TEE Probe
Joseph A. Sivak, Jose Rivera, and Zainab Samad

STRUCTURE AND DESIGN The modern TEE probe consists of the following
components (sec Fig. 2-1).
Transesophageal echocardiogtaphy (TEE) presents
a uni'lue opportunity to overcome the limitations
posed by chest wall acoustic windows while allowing Probe Tip
visualization of cardiac structures with greater spatial TEE probe tips are miniaturized (adult 3D probes:
~lution. Since its first reported use to evaluate intra- -17 X 13.5 X 38 mm and infantlpediatric probes:
cardiac flow in 1971 and to visualize cardiac structures -7.5 X 5.5 X 18.5 nun) and feature smooth contours
in 1976, the TEE probe has undergone remarkable to allow safe and comfonable insertion into the
technological advancement in terms of imaging capa- oroph.arynx. The acoustic lena and matrix array are
bility and probe structure and design. l.2 The TEE bowed in the probe tip. Modern TEE probes typi-
probe used by Frazin et al1 consisted of an M-mode cally have an extended operating frequency range of
transducer attached to a coaxial cable. Souquet et al3 approximately 3 to 7 MHz with a 90-degree field of
then rcponed suc:ccssful use of a phased array trans- view and usually allow 180 degrees of electronic rota-
ducer attached to the end of a gastroscope, which, tion. The probe tip can also be flexed, extended, and
in addition to producing tw<Kiimcnsional images, angled left or right using dials on the probe handle.
allowed for finer control of the transducer position by Generally, probes are capable of fl.exion of up to 120
using the flcxi.on and angling controls akin to a gastro- degrees, cxtcruion of 60 degrees, and 45 degrees of
scope. The biplane transducer was then introduced in leftlriitht angulation, with some variation between
1984, followed by the multiplane transducer in 1992:' manutacturers. TEE probes with three-<ilmensional
Consistent technological developments, including the imaging capabilities allow fur live, zoom, biplane,
introduction of a 8aible endoscope, probe tempera- and multibeat acquisition with or without color
rure regulation, miniatwi7.ation, transducer design, Doppler. Three-dimensional imaging is possible by
addition of color and spectral Doppler, and three-- performing a signmcant portion of beam forming
dimensional imaging, have led to the widespread within the transducer in highly specialized integrated
adoption of TEE in clinical care. Currently TEE circuits, which enable the fitting of thousands of
accounts for approximatdy 5% to 10% of echocardio- piezoelectric elements into the tip of the transducer
grapbic procedures. s (sec Chapter 23).

Transducer Flexlble sl\aft Transducer Control


lens (gastroscope) controls housing

Dlstaltlp

FIGURE 2-7. Anatomy of aTEE probe.


THE TEE PROBE I 19

FIGURE 2-2. Pin connector.

Probe Shaft the echo system will run an automatic calibration algo--
rith.m when the probe is nrst connected with the echo
The TEE probe shaft houses flexible, mini-coaxial machine. It is generally recommended that the probe
cables carrying signals to and from the transducers. tip position be neutral when this connection is made.
The probe shaft is about 6 to 10 mm in diameter and
0.7 to 1 m in length and is designed to be flexible and
durable with some degree of bite resistance. The probe PROBE INSERTION AND SAFETY
shaft is labeled with markers that allow assessment Indications for TEE
of the depth of esophageal intubation. The depth
markers at 20 to 30 cm roughly correspond to upper Before assessing whether a patient is a suitable can-
esopbagcal views, 30 to 40 cm to mid-esophageal didate for a TEE, it is prudent to first determine
views, 40 to 45 cm to transgastric views, and 45 to the appropriateness of the indication fur the study.
50 cm to deep transgastric: views. General indications for TEE include assessment of
lefHtrial appendage thrombus, atrial masses, detailed
inspection of valvular pathology, and diagnosis of
Handle endocarditis or cardioembolic source. More recently,
The band.le of the TEE probe houses the controls TEE has been used to provide anatomical guid-
needed to perform dectronic steering of the imaging ance fur percutaneous valve procedures, such as the
elements and mechanical steering of the TEE probe MitraClip procedurc.6 In 2011 a multi.society joint
tip. There arc typically two round dials. The larger guideline was published fur the a~propriate use of
dial allows £lc::x:ion and extension movements of the echocardiography, including TEE. Indications for
probe tip, and the smaller dial allows fur right and left the study were scored on a sCale of 1 to 9, and indica-
movements of the probe tip. In addition, the handle tions with a score of 7 to 9 were considered appropri-
houses two button controls that hdp with dect.ronic ate (A = benefit outweighed risk), whereas those with
steering. Ultrasound equipment manufacturers try a score of 4 to 6 were considered uncertain (U), and
to optimize the ergonomics of the handle to perm.it those with a score of 1 to 3 were considered inappro-
fur an easy one-handed operation. Design feature priate (I = risk outweighed benefit). Table 2-1 shows
i~rovements such as the introduction of a slim, the appropriateness score for indications commonly
Ii tweight handle, textured. no-slip grip, and acccs- encountered in clinical practice. Practice guidelines
si ility of controls have made it more user fiiendly. fur the use of perioperative TEE8 recommend that fur
adult patients without contraindications, TEE should
be used in all open heart (e.g., valvula.r procedures)
Connector
and thoracic aortic surgical procedures, and should be
The connector contains an array of pins, which attach considered in coronary artery bypass graft surgeries as
to the echo machine (see Fig. 2-2). It is connected to well "in order to confirm and refine the preoperative
the probe handle via the transducer cable. Typically. diagnosis, to detect new or unsuspec.ted pathology, to
20 I CHAPTER 2

Table2-1. Guideline-based indications and appropriate use ofTEE

Approprllte
• Guidance during percutaneous noncoronary cardiac interventions, including but not limited to closure device placement,
radiofrequency ablation, and percutaneous valve procedures. (A 9)
• Suspected acute aortic pathology, including but not limited to dissection/transection. (A 9)
• Evaluation of valwlar structure and function to assess suitability for, and assist in planning of, an intervention. (A 9)
• To diagnose infective endocarditis with a moderate or high pretest probability (e.g~ Staphylococcus bacterernia, fungemia,
prosthetic heart valve, or intracardiac device). (A 9)
• Atrial fibrillation/flutter: evaluation to facilitate clinical decision making with regard to anticoagulation, cardioversion, and/
or radiofrequency ablation. (A 9)
• Use ofTEE when there is a high likelihood of a nondiagnostic TTE due to patient characteristics or inadequate visualization
of relevant structures. (A 8)
• Re-evaluation of prior TEE finding for interval change (e.g., resolution of thrombus after anticoagulation, resolution of veg-
etation after antibiotic therapy) when a change in therapy is anticipated. (A 8)
• Evaluation for cardiovascular source of embolus with no identified noncardiac source. (A 7)

• To diagnose infective endocarditis with a low pretest probability (e.g., transient fever, known alternative source of infection,
or negative blood cultures/atypical pathogen for endocarditis). (13)
• Routine assessment of pulmonary veins in an asymptomatic patient status post pulmonary vein isolation. (13)
• Atrial fibrillation/flutter: evaluation when a decision has been made to anticoagulate and not to perform cardioversion. (12)
• Surveillance of prior TEE finding for interval change (e.g., resolution of thrombus after anticoagulation, resolution of vegeta-
tion after antibiotic therapy) when no change in therapy is anticipated. (12)
• Routine use of TEE when a diagnostic TTE is reasonably anticipated to resolve all diagnostic and management concerns. (11)
Data from American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force; American Society of Echocardiography, et al:
ACCF/ASEiAHA/ASNCJHFSA/HRS/SCAl/SCCM/SCCT/SCMR 2011 Appropriate Use Criteria for Echocardiography. A Report of the Ameri-
can College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Society of Echocardiography, American Heart
Association, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular
Angiography and Interventions, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardio-
vascular Magnetic Resonance American College of Chest Physicians, J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2011 Mar;24(3):229-267.

adjust the anesthetic and surgical plan accordingly, obtain superior-quality images, whereas TIE imaging
and to assess the results of the surgical intervention." is often limited by sound attenuation from air through
In recent years, TEE in the perioperative period the chest wall acoustic windOWli. In one study the aver~
has been invaluable in guiding percutaneous valve age time to reach a diagnosis by TEE was 11 minutes,
procedures such as placement of the transcatheter and the etiology of refractory hrJ'otension was clearly
aonic valve and mitral clip. Indeed, the first setting identified in 76% of patients. As more anesthesi-
in which perioperative TEE was widdy adopted and ologists have become skilled in the performance and
routindy employed was the cardiac surgical operating interpretation of TEE, its use during noncardiac sur-
room. In a large prospective cohort study, Mishra and gery has increased. In a cohort of 98 patients with high
colleagues found that 36% of 5016 cardiac surgical cardiac risk undergoing a broad range of noncardiac
patients beneficed from a pre-bypass TEE study and surgery, Schulmeyer and colleagues found that TEE
a similar number from a post-bypass study.9 The TEE hdped guide intraoperative and/or postoperative man-
examination was most useful for identification of intra.- agement in all but 2 patients.11 Suriani and coworkers
cardiac thrombus, aortic atheroma. mitral leaflet con- reported their use of TEE in 123 cases of orthotopic
figuration, changes in valvular function, and in guiding liver transplant. 12 In 15% of cases, TEE was critical in
de-airing procedures before separation from bypass. altering surgical or anesthetic technique, treating life~
In some centers, TEE has replaced transthoracic threatening events, or directing further postoperative
echocardiography (TTE) as the preferred initial imag- evaluation. In this population, TEE also can be useful
ing study in postcardiac surgery patients requiring in diagnosing hepatopulmonary syndrome by identify-
emergent evaluation. This is because of its ability to ing bubbles in the pulmonary veins after a bubble test.
THE TEE PROBE I 21

TEE is of proven value in eval~ hemodynami- to proceed to further radiological imaging if the clini-
cally unstable patients. Feierman13 reported the we of cal suspicion of aortic pathology remains high.18,21-23
inttaopetative TEE to identify unsU&pcctcd dynamic left
venaicular outflow tract obstruction, thereby allowing Risks of the TEE Procedure
crucial rcdircc.tion of management sttatcgy. In addi-
tion, Brandt and usociatcs reviewed 66 cases in which TEE is generally a well-tolerated and safe procedure.
intraopcrative TEE was cmcrgently applied w diagnose However, because of its semi-invasive nature, "blind
severe lefi: ventricular dysfunction, aortic dissection, new intubation," and the need fur concomiwit sedation, the
myocanlial wall motion abnormalities, patent furamen potential fur serious complications exists. It is crucial fur
ovale, locali2ed. cardiac wnponade, and right ventricu- the procedure team to know potential complications of
lar dilatation consistent with a pulmonary embofWn.14 TEE so that the risks and benefits of the procedure can
TEE is commonly used in critical care units. Among be discussed and the patient assessed fur any preexisting
308 TEE studies ronducted in an intensive care unit in conditions that may increase the risk of the procedure.
Australia. the most common indications were refractory Figure 2-3 highlights the anatomical locations where
or unexplained bypotension (67%), suspca:cd endocar- reported injuries associated with TEE occur.
ditis (27%), evaluation of ventricular function (15%), In ambulatory, nonoperatlve settings, reported
evaluation of pulmonary cdcma of uncertain etiology rates of major complications ofTEE range from 0.2%
(6%), evaluation of the aorta (4%), and search fur a to 0.5%. In one European multicenter survey of
source of systemic embolU& (4%). Twenty-five percent 10,419 TEE e:wninations, 90 examinatioru (0.88%)
of these c:x:aminations were reqUfStcd. after an inad- had to be interrupted due to patient intolerance of the
equate TTE cwnination. The subsequent TEE exami- probe (65 cases) or because of pulmonary (8 cases),
nation led to changes in therapy in 32% of patients cardiac (8 cases), bleeding complications (2 cases), and
studied and to immediate surgery in 22%, with the 7 other causes. One of the bleeding complications was
greatest yield in postcan:liac surgery patients. 15 Others related to csop~cal infiltration of a lung tumor and
have reported using TEE in ICUs to guide central line proved to be f.u:af (mortality rate 0.0098%). Of note,
placement, evaluate patients with uncxplained hypox--
emia. or evaluate potential heart donors. f6,t7
The proximity of the esophagus to the aorta allows
for precise and accurate diagnosis of certain types
of aortic pathology when using TEE, and this appli-
cation has found a specific niche in the emergency
room (ER). Minard and colleagues compared TEE
with aortography tt> diagnose traumatic disruption of
the aorta, including intimal flaps, pseudoancurysms,
dissections, and ini:raluminal or e:x:tralwninal bema-
tonw, and gross dis&ec:tions with identification of
false and true lumens. However, the sensitivity and l.Myngnl:
·vocal cord trauma
specificity of TEE were lower than those of aortogra- ·airway comprl!!ulon
phy. most likely due to the inability of TEE to inlage • tradleal intubation
the ug~ third of the ascending aorta and the aonic
arch. · 9 Even though some forms of aortic pathology 1E111apln19•I:
- lacer.rtfon
arc not compleu:ly assessed with TEE, this technique ·perforation
is very valuable in ruling out aonic dis.section. Yalcin ·false passage
and coworkers reported TEE to be 98% sensitive and (dlvertkulum)
99% specific fur detection of aonic dissection, and
a 2006 meta-analysis of 10 studies ~ortcd similar
results (98% sensitive, 95% specific). 1 In addition, GMtrlc:
• lflCel'ltfon
of significant importance is the fact that TEE is often ·perforation
safer than other inlaging modalities in hemodynami- ·bleeding
cally unstable patients, as it can be performed at the
bedside. Overall, despite its known deficiencies, TEE
remains the first-line test fur evaluation of the aorta
due to its portability. low cost, low level of invasive-
ness, rapidity, and low complication rate. In the pres-
ence of a negative study, however, it is often necessary FIGURE 2-3. Sites of potential injury.
22 I CHAPTER 2

Tonslllarfauces

._-I-- lEE probe lodged In


Pifif'orm fOSSll

m probe lodged In
left plrlform fossa

Demi I glnglval

Esophagus

FIGURE 2-f.. Probe malposltfon examples.

a majority of the cases in this survey were outpatients pitfalls during insettion is crucial to limit risk of injury
who did not receive intravenous sedation for the TEE (Fig. 2-4). If the probe is not centered during insertion,
procedw:e.24 In the operative setting, manipulation it can become lodged in one of the pyriform sinuses.
of a TEE probe in an inrubated patient under general where further advancement of the probe could lead to
ancsthcsia carries additional risk, but rcponcd rates of injury to dtis area. or can cause severe flexion of the
major complications are similar to nonsurgical patients probe, which could lead co injury during removal The
and range from 0.2% to 1.2%.25 Several fu.ctors may upper esophagus at the 1.cvcl of the aic:opharynx is also
inacase risk, including the inability of the patient to susceptible to injury due to the potential for spasm or
swallow in order to fa.Cilitate probe insertion and the hyperttophy of the aicoplwyngeal muscle and narrow-
patient's inability to alert the operator to uncomfort- ing of the space secondary to cervical spine disease.25
able, possibly injurious probe manipulations. Manipulation of the probe during the study also
The most dreaded complication of TEE is upper carries a small but real risk of injury. One area of the
gutrointestinal (GI) tract perforation, which has a upper GI tract that is particularly vulnerable to injury
reported incidence ofabout 2 per 10,000 paticnts26 and is the gutrocsophageal (GE) junction. When perform-
is associated with scvcrc morbidity and mortility.27 It ing transgutric views, it is important to make sure that
has been reported that 20% of pcrfurations occur dur- the probe tip is past the GI junction into the gastrum.
ing insertion in the hypoph.arynx, and an understand- Significant flexion of the probe at the GE junction can
ing of the anatomy of the hypoplwynx and potential cause mucosa! disruption or Mallory-Weias tears.28 The
THE TEE PROBE I 23

risk of upper GI perforation is increased in patients Table 2-2. Contraindications to TEE


with GE pathology, such as a Zenker diverticulum,
esophageal strictures or webs, esop~tis, esophageal Absolute RelMive
mass, or other anatomical anomalies.2 Often the only Contraindications Contraindications
indication of a potential problem is a history of dys-
phagia or odynophagia. If the patient has a history of Perforated viscous Restricted cervical mobility
significant gastritis or gastric ulcers, transgastric views (severe arthritis or
atlantoaxial joint disease)
should be obtained with caution.
Esophageal pathology History of significant
In perioperative procedures where the TEE probe (stricture, trauma, tumor, radiation to neck and
sits in the esophagus for prolonged periods, it is scleroderma, Mallory- chest
important to freeze imaging and release flexion on the Weiss tear, diverticulum)
probe tip when images are not being acquired to avoid Active upper GI bleeding History of GI surgery
thermal injury or pressure ulceration of the esophagus. Recent upper GI surgery Esophagitis
Esophagectomy, History of dysphagia
Assessment of the Patient esophagogastrectomy
Lack of informed consent Bleeding diathesis
The contraindications for performing a TEE are based (coagulopathy,
on the risk of respiratory compromise, esophageal thrombocytopenla)
injury, and bleeding. Given that the probe is typically Barrett's esophagus or
advanced blindly, due diligence must be performed to peptic ulcer disease
ensure that the patient is not at a higher-than-normal Symptomatic hiatal hernia
risk for any of these complications. Absolute and rda- Esophageal varices
tive contraindications to TEE are outlined in Table 2-2. Adapted with permission from Hilberath JN, Oakes DA, Sheman
A comprehensive preprocedural assessment should SK: Safety of transesophageal echocardlography, J Am Sac
include (1) the assessment of the patient by a physi- Echocardiogr. 201 ONov;23(11):1115-1127.
cian; (2) ensuring that the patient has not taken any
solids or liquids by mouth for 6 to 8 hours prior to the intubation. Although the use of direct laryngoscopy is
planned procedure; (3) documentation of an informed not usually necessary for probe placement, one study
consent; (4) review of pertinent laboratory data, did show that its use results in successful placement
including coagulation and platelet studies; (S) review with fewer attempts and reduces complications like
of medication and allergies; and (6) review of condi- odynophagia and minor oropharyngeal injuries.29
tions that might increase procedural risk, including
but not limited to history of sleep apnea, unexplained Insertion of the TEE Probe Without General
dysphagia, history of chest irradiation, esophageal Anesthesia. Before starting the procedure, careful
tumors, varices, strictures or past surgeries, chest radia- preparation is necessary to ensure patient safety. The
tion, dysphagia, and other esophageal abnormalities. necessary items include a functioning suction appa-
ratus, oxygen with tubing and facemasks, emergency
PROBE INSERTION medications, access to a defibrillator, and continuous
Insertion of the 1EE Probe in Patients Under electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. Peripheral intra-
General Anesthesia. In patients who undergo TEE venous access is also necessary before starting the proce-
as part of their operative procedure, the TEE probe dure. The mouth should be examined for loose teeth,
should be introduced into the esophagus after the and dentures should be removed. Although it is possible
induction of general anesthesia and tracheal intuba- to perform a TEE on an unanesthetized, cooperative
tion. After the position of the endotracheal tube has patient, use of light-to-moderate sedation with agents
been confirmed and the tube secured, a mouth guard such as midazolam, fentanyl, or propofol improve com-
should be placed between the patient's teeth. The probe fort. Prior to administration of sedation, the mouth and
tip can then be lubricated with ultrasound gel and oropharynx are anesthetized using liquid viscous lido-
while holding it like a pencil, the probe can be inserted caine and lidocaine spray. Because lidocaine dulls the
into the oropharynx through the mouth guard. An ini- gag reflex and impairs swallowing, the patient should
tial mild resistance may be encountered by the crico- not eat or drink for 2 hours after the procedure.
pharyngeus muscle, but this should be easily overcome. The patient can be positioned in the supine or the
If there is further resistance, the probe should be with- left lateral decubitus position. It is preferred to have the
drawn, centered, and reintroduced. If probe insertion patient lie on their left side, with the lower (left) hand
is unsuccessful after two or three attempts, direction rested under a pillow or the patient's head and the upper
laryngoscopy should be employed to aid esophageal (right) hand resting on the patient's side. The bed should
24 I CHAPTER 2

be typically at a 10% to 20% incline, with the legs in a briefly deflating the endotrachca.l tube cuff should be
comfurtable position and the neck slightly flexed. Befure considered, as this may ease passage of the probe tip.32
administering sedation, a mouth guard is placed in the When unusual resistance is encountered during
patient's mouth, as the jaw tends to become rigid and attempts to advance or withdraw the probe, the physi-
difficult to manipulate once the patient is sedated. cian should consider that the tip may have "folded"
Befure inserting the probe, it is important to inspect 180 defrees onto itself, so-called "buckling" of the
it for damage, making sure there are no sharp edges, probe.3 This mechanical problem should be sus-
checking that the controls properly flex and angle the tip, pected when probe movement is difficult, image qual-
and that an image is displayed as the probe tip touches ity is very poor, and the control wheels are bound
ultrasound gel. Prior to insertion, the probe should be and difficult to move. If the physician believes this
straightened, with the control wheels unlocked. The end has occurred, the probe should be advanced gently
of the probe is coated with a thin layer of sterile ultra- into the stomach, the tip straightened, and the probe
sound jelly, which serves to both facilitate insertion of removed and inspected. Under the rare circumstance
the probe and improve contact with the esophagus. To that the TEE probe cannot be moved without exert-
facilitate probe insertion, the index finger of the left ing undue force, a radiograph may help determine
hand should be inserted into the oropharynx (outside the probe position and guide the next intervention.
the mouth guard) and the posterior pharynx palpated In very unusual circumstances, if the deflector mecha-
to ensure there are no deviations from normal anatomy. nism is completely jammed inside the patient and all
The index finger can also be used to push the posterior efforts to release it have failed, the probe should be
aspect of the tongue and epiglottis forward. At the same removed from the unit, and the entire probe shaft
time, the TEE probe is inserted into the oropharynx should be cut with heavy-duty pliers or other suitable
with the left finger helping to keep the probe centercd tool. This will release the deflecting mechanism, allow
and guiding it into the esophagus. Often some resistance the tip to straighten, and facilitate probe removal.
is encountered as the probe passes through the hypo-
pharynx, caused by the cricopharyngeus muscle. If this CARE/STORAGE
occurs, gentle forward pressure should be applied to the
probe while the patient is asked to swallow. For many Proper care, disinfection, and storage of the TEE
patients, this verbal instruction is all that is required- probe is essential for patient safety, as well as to extend
swallowing will close the vocal cords and relax the cri- the life of the probe. Modern TEE probes cost any-
copharyngeus muscle. Flexing the patient's neck or where from $30,000 to $60,000, and a simple careless
slight flexion of the probe tip may also assist its passage mistake such as submerging the multipin connector
past the base of the tongue. Neck flexion also prevents in cleaning solution can cost over $10,000.
stretching of the esophagus, a condition that might
increase the risk of a mucosa! tear or perforation. It may Proper Cleaning Technique
also be helpful to hold the small wheel on the housing
Because TEE is a semi-invasive procedure and the
at a neutral position to avoid undesirable lateral bend-
ing during probe insertion. The large wheel, controlling probes are reusable, there is a real potential for trans-
mission of infection (Table 2-3). Although there are
flexion/extension, should never be locked. If there are
feeding or nasogastric tubes in place, the TEE probe can
usually be placed alongside these devices, but often they Table 2-3. Infectious risks
must be removed to allow adequate imaging. If further
resistance is encountered, the probe should be with- Closs-infection from patient to patient and patient to staff
drawn, centered, and reintroduced into the esophagus. Bacteria-Helicobacter pyfori, Pseudomonas oeruginoso,
It should be kept in mind that unsuspected pathol- Salmonella species, Mycobacterium species
ogy may impede advancement of the probe. Any Viruses-Hepatitis Band C, human immunodeficiency virus
unusual resistance to probe insertion should prompt Prions-Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
abandonment of the procedure. Failure to place the
probe is rare. Chee et al found a 1.2% rate of failure Contamlnlltion of patients from the decontamlnldlon
among 901 TEE exams. 30 In another review, 98.5% procedure
of failures were due to lack of cooperation or lack of Bacteria-Pseudomonas aeruginosa, J.egionella
operator experience, whereas only 1.5% were due to pneumophila, Mycobacterium species
anatomical abnormalities.2'' Other authors have iden- Reproduced with permission from Kanagala P, Bradley(, Hoffman P,
tified prominent vertebral spurs associated with cer- et al: Guidelines for transoesophageal echocardiographic probe
vical spondylosis as a common cause (16 of 40) of cleaning and disinfection from the British Society of Echocardio-
failure of probe placement.3l In intubated patients, graphy, Eur J Echocardiogr 2011 Oct;l 2(1O):il7-i23.
THE TEE PROBE I 25

no concrete data for infection rates with TEE pro- bedside aa soon as the procedure is over. The probe
cedwe&, it i& piuwned that the infection rates and tip and shaft should be wiped sequentially starting
implicated infectious organisms associated with from the leading end, while being introduced into a
TEE would be comparable to upper GI endoscopy biohazard bag, with a single-use sponge presoaked in
or bronchoscopy (1 in 1.8 million studies).33 Proper a detergent solution to remove gross contamination.
deaning and disinfection of the TEE probe after A similar second wipe should be used to wipe off the
each procedure is thus essential to preventing trans- remaining parts of the probe, including the handle
missible disease from the procedure. Sterilization and controls, cord, and the nonimmersible connec-
of the TEE probe is impractical and not warranted tor.33 The second wipe disinfects contamination from
because the TEE probe does not penetrate sterile the operator's hand.
areas of the body. The probe should then be covered and transferred
Cleaning and disinfection of the probe is a mul- to the designated decontamination room where
tistep pro~ (Fig. 2-5) that starts at the patient's it should be visually inspected for any damage.

A B

C D
FIGURE 2-5. Probe disinfection process. (A} Protective attire. (8) Pre-soak wipe of handle and pin connector.
Note that pin connector has protective cover in place. (C) Dilute detergent in basin per manufacturer's instructions.
(D) Immerse 'TEE probe, but not the connector, in detergent solution for the specified time period (typically 3 to
S minutes). (E) Post-immersion rinse and {F} dry. (G) Automated endoscope reprocessor for further disinfection.
(H) Protective covering applied to probe and stored in clean 'TEE closet
26 I CHAPTER 2

E F

G H
FIGURE 2-5. (Continued)

Decontamination rooms should have demarcated the probe tip and shaft are placed in a diaposable
"dirty" and "clean" areas so that nondecontami- protective sheath.
nated "dirty" probes are not inadvertently confused
with decontaminated "clean" probes. The "dirty" Proper Care and Storage
probe should be immersed in a wash bin utilizing a
detergent made up to the dilution and contact times Guideline documents advise against storing TEE
recommended by the manufacturer. The choice of probes in their delivery cases. This is because a
a detergent solution is guided by its microbicidal. suboptimally deaned probe, if placed in the deliv-
activity and compatibility with the TEE probe mate- ery case, will contaminate the case, which might
rials. Ca.re should be tahn to prevent the pin con- then become the nidus for cross-contamination of
nector from becoming immersed with the probe. subsequent probes. In addition, a failure to fully
After this initial decontamination step, probe dis- suaighten the probe between studies may result in
infection is then pcrfurmed via an automated endo- distortion of the probe shaft. Manufacturers typi-
scope reprocessor (AER). In addition to deaning cally recommend that the probes be stored fully
and disinfection, the Intersodetal Accreditation straight, which can be achieved by hanging them in a
Commission for echocardiography recommends that locked cupboard. There is no time limit to storage of
the structural and electrical integrity of the probe a clean probe with this type of setup. Table 2~4 pres-
be checked between each use, using an ult.rasowtd ents general rules that should be followed to improve
transducer leakage tester.~ Following disinfection, probe longevity.
THE TEE PROBE I 27

Table 2-4. Recommendations to promote probe d. Routine assessment of pulmonary veins in an


longevity asymptomatic patient status post pulmonary vein
isolation
Inspect probe before each use S. Which of the following is the most common reason
• Integrity of seal connecting probe tip to shaft for performing a TTE in the surgical ICU?
• Scratches or damage to probe tip and lens a. Refractory or unexplained hypotension
• Cracks. holes, or bite marks in bending rubber around shaft b. Suspected endocarditis
• Lost or damaged controls on TEE handle c. Evaluation ofventricular function
• Damage to cable or pin connector d. Evaluation of pulmonary edema of uncertain
Routine maintenance etiology
• Proper cleaning and storage of probe between each use
• Probe testing every six months to test each crystal 6. The reported rate of upper GI tract perforation
within the array caused by the TEE procedure is:
• Recoat and relabel TEE probe markers showing signs of a. 1in1000
fading b. 1 in 100,000
During the procedure c. 1 in 50,000
• Use of bite guards during procedures d. 1 in 5000
• Use of approved ultrasound gel 7. The is located laterally to the pharynx and
• Freeze image or tum off transducer before connection is a potential space for the probe to become lodged
or removal during insertion.
a. Tonsillar fossa
b. Piriform fossa
c. Laryngeal fossa
d. Epiglottic fossa
REVIEW QUESTIONS
8. The rate of complications from the TEE procedure
1. An adult TEE probe tip is approximately _ _ in the ambulatory setting is estimated to be:
wide a. 1 in SOO
a. 10 mm b. 1in1000
b. 15 mm c. 1in2000
c. 20 mm d. 1 in 5000
d. 25 mm
9. Which of the following is considered an absolute
2. The first docwnented use ofTEE was in: contraindication to performing a TEE?
a. 1965 a. Atlantoaxial disease
b. 1971 b. History of dysphagia
c. 1980 c. Recent upper GI bleed
d. 1984 d. Recent upper GI surgery
3. In general, TEE probes are capable of_ degrees
10. What percentage of GI tract perforations occur at
of anteflexion and _ degrees of retroflexion
the hypopharynx?
a. 120, 60 a. 5%
b. 60, 120
b. 20%
c. 90, 45 c. 40%
d. 45, 90
d. 60%
4. Which of the following indications received an
11. Which location in the GI tract is most susceptible
appropriateness score of 9 (most appropriate) in the
to Mallory-Weiss tears from flexion of the probe?
2011 appropriate use guidelines?
a. GE junction
a. Use of TEE as initial test when there is a high
b. Gastric fundus
likelihood of a nondiagnostic TIE due to
c. Mid-esophagus
patient characteristics or inadequate visualiza-
d. Gastric body
tion of relevant structures
b. Evaluation for cardiovascular embolic source 12. Dysphagia can be a potential sign of which of the
with no identified noncardiac source following GI tract abnormalities?
c. To diagnose endocarditis with a moderate pre- a. Zenker diverticulum
test probability b. Esophageal strictures or webs
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
— Vaan sinäpä et nukkunut, pyssynlaukaukset sinut herättivät.

— Sinä luulet siis, että teidän pyssynne pitävät semmoista melua?


Isäni tussari pamahtaa paljon kovemmin.

— Vieköön sinut saakeli, senkin kirottu vetelys! Että sinä olet


nähnyt Gianetton, siitä olen varma. Kenties olet hänet kätkenytkin.
Hoi, kumppalit, käykää tupaan ja katsokaa, eikö junkkarimme ole
siellä. Hän nilkutti enää vain yhdellä käpälällä, ja se lurjus on liian
viisas lähteäkseen sillä tavoin palolle asti pyrkimään. Sitäpaitsi
loppuvat verijäljetkin tähän.

— Vaan mitäs isä sanoo, kysyi Fortunato ilkamoiden, jos saa


tietää, että te olette hänen poissa ollessaan tunkeutuneet tupaan?

— Kuules, junkkari, sanoi ajutantti Gamba nipistäen poikaa


korvasta, tiedätkös sinä, että minä voin helposti saada sinut toista
virttä veisaamaan? Ehkäpä sinä vielä sanotkin, jos saat parisen
kymmentä lyöntiä sapelin lappeella.

Fortunato vain naureskeli pilkallisesti.

— Isäni nimi on Mateo Falcone! sanoi hän juhlallisesti.

— Tiedätkös sinä, pikku veijari, että minä voin viedä sinut joko
Corteen tai Bastiaan. Panen sinut vankeuteen, raudat jaloissa
olkivuoteelle makaamaan, ja mestautan sinut, jos et sano missä
Gianetto
Sanpiero piileksii.

Poika remahti suureen nauruun kuullessaan tämän lystikkään


uhkauksen.
Hän vain toisti:
— Isäni nimi on Mateo Falcone.

— Ajutantti, sanoi aivan hiljaa eräs jääkäreistä, älkäämme


riitaantuko
Mateon kanssa.

Gamba näytti todellakin joutuneen ymmälle.

Hän puheli kuiskaten sotamiesten kanssa, jotka olivat tarkastaneet


koko talon, toimitus, joka muuten ei kauan kestänytkään, sillä
korsikkalaisen asuntoon ei kuulu muuta kuin yksi neliskulmainen
tupa. Huonekaluja on pöytä, penkkejä, kirstuja ja metsästys- sekä
talouskapineita. Sillä aikaa pikku Fortunato hyväili kissaansa ja näytti
ilkamoiden nauttivan jääkärien ja sukulaisensa hämmennystilasta.

Eräs sotamiehistä lähestyi heinäsuovaa. Hän huomasi emäkissan


ja sohaisi pistimellä huolettomasti heinäsuovaan kohauttaen
olkapäitään merkiksi, että tämä teko tuntui hänestä naurettavalta.
Suovassa ei mikään liikahtanut, eivätkä pojan kasvotkaan ilmaisseet
vähintäkään mielenliikutusta.

Ajutantti ja hänen joukkonsa miettivät heittää hiiteen koko


toimituksen ja katselivat jo totisina nummelle päin ikäänkuin aikoen
palata takaisin samaa tietä, jota olivat tulleetkin, kun päällikkö,
vakuutettuna siitä, etteivät uhkaukset vaikuttaneet mitään Mateo
Falconen poikaan, päätti tehdä vielä viimeisen ponnistuksen ja
koettaa hyväilyjen ja lahjojen mahtia.

— Kuules, pikku serkkuni, sanoi hän, sinä näyt olevan hyvin


kasvatettu viikari ja tulet varmaankin vielä menemään pitkälle. Mutta
nyt sinä lasket minusta ilkeää leikkiä, ja ellen minä pelkäisi
suututtavani sukulaistani Mateo Falconea, niin piru vieköön
ottaisinkin sinut mukaani.

— Hui-hai!

— Vaan kun sukulaiseni tulee kotiin, niin kerron koko jutun


hänelle, ja silloin saat valheistasi verisen selkäsaunan.

— Jokohan?

— Saat nähdä… Vaan kuuleppa… ole nyt siivo poika, niin minä
annan sinulle jotain.

— Ja minä annan sinulle, serkku, erään neuvon: että jos te vielä


viivyttelette, niin Gianetto ehtii jo palolle, ja silloin täytyy olla
useampia sinunlaisiasi uskalikkoja, jos mieli häntä sieltä etsiä.

Ajutantti otti taskustaan hopeakellon, joka maksoi ainakin


kolmekymmentä frangia, ja huomatessaan, että pikku Fortunaton
silmät säteilivät sitä katsellessa, hän riiputti sitä teräksisten vitjojen
nenästä sanoen:

— Sinä veijari tahtoisit kai mielelläsi tämmöisen kellon kaulaasi ja


astuskelisit Porto-Vecchion katuja ylpeänä kuin riikinkukko; ja ihmiset
kyselisivät sinulta: »paljonko kello on?» ja sinä vastaisit: »katsokaa
kelloani».

— Kun tulen isoksi, niin korpraali-enoni kyllä antaa minulle kellon.

— Antaa jos antaa, vaan enosi pojallapa on jo kello… ei sentään


niin kaunis kuin tämä… Ja hän on kuitenkin sinua nuorempi.

Poikanen huokasi.
— No, tahdotkos tämän kellon, pikku serkku?

Fortunato näytti syrjäsilmällä kelloa katsellessaan kissalta, jolle


tarjotaan kokonainen kananpoika. Tuntien itseään vain härnättävän
ei se uskalla iskeä siihen kynsiänsä, vaan kääntää tuontuostakin
silmänsä poispäin, ettei houkutus kävisi liian suureksi; kuitenkin se
nuoleksii myötäänsä suupieliänsä ja näyttää tahtovan sanoa
isännälleen: »Teidän leikkinne on liian julmaa!»

Ajutantti Gamba tuntui sentään todenteolla tarjottelevan kelloansa.


Fortunato ei ojentanut kättänsä, vaan sanoi happamesti hymyillen:

— Mitä te minua suotta pilkkaatte?

— En, jumal’avita, pilkkaakaan. Sano vain missä Gianetto on, niin


on kellokin sinun.

Fortunaton huulille ilmestyi epäilyksen hymy, ja katsoen mustilla


silmillänsä ajutantin silmiin koetti hän niistä lukea, minkä verran
tämän sanoihin oli luottamista.

— Vietäköön minulta olkaliput, huudahti ajutantti, jollen anna


sinulle kelloa sillä ehdolla! Kumppalini tässä ovat todistajina, enkä
minä saata lupaustani rikkoa.

Tätä sanoessaan hän vei kelloa yhä lähemmäksi, kunnes se


melkein kosketti pojan kalpeata poskea. Tämän kasvoilla kuvastui
selvästi sisällinen sieluntaistelu pyyteen ja vierasvaraisuuden
kunnioittamisen välillä. Paljas rinta kohoili kiihkeästi, ja hän näytti
olevan tukehtumaisillaan.

Sillä välin kello heilui ja kääntelihe koskettaen toisinaan hänen


nenänsä päätä. Vähitellen alkoi vihdoin pojan oikea käsi kohota
kelloa kohti: sormen päät jo koskettivat sitä, ja pian se lepäsi
kokonaan hänen kädessään, vaikka ajutantti yhä piteli sitä vitjojen
toisesta päästä… Numerotaulu oli taivaansininen… kuori vasta
kiillotettu… päivänpaisteessa se tulena välähteli… Houkutus oli liian
suuri.

Fortunatolla nousi jo vasen käsikin, ja olkansa yli hän viittasi


peukalollaan heinäsuovaa, jota vastaan hän nojasi. Ajutantti
ymmärsi hänet heti. Hän päästi vitjat kädestään, ja Fortunato tunsi
olevansa kellon ainoa omistaja. Hän hypähti pystyyn vikkelästi kuin
metsäpeura ja poistui kymmenen askeleen päähän heinäsuovasta,
jota jääkärit heti kävivät penkomaan.

Pian nähtiinkin heinäsuovan liikahtelevan: sieltä ilmestyi verissään


oleva mies, puukko kädessä; mutta koettaessaan nousta seisoalleen
ei hän hyytyneeltä haavaltaan jaksanutkaan pysyä pystyssä, vaan
suistui maahan. Ajutantti syöksyi heti hänen kimppuunsa ja väänsi
tikarin hänen kädestään. Samassa hänet lujasti köytettiin
vastustuksestaan huolimatta.

Maaten kentällä pitkällään, sidottuna kuin mikäkin lyhde, Gianetto


käänsi päänsä lähestynyttä Fortunatoa kohti.

— Senkin… sikiö! sanoi hän tälle enemmän ylenkatseellisesti kuin


vihaisesti.

Poika heitti hänelle saamansa hopearahan takaisin tuntien, ettei


sitä enää ansainnut; mutta vangittu ei näyttänyt huomaavankaan tätä
liikettä. Vallan kylmäverisesti hän sanoi ajutantille:

— Kuulkaas, hyvä Gamba, minä en jaksa kävellä, teidän täytyy


kantaa minut kaupunkiin.
— Äsken sinä kuitenkin juoksit kuin vuorikauris, vastasi julma
voittaja; mutta olehan huoletta: minä olen niin hyvilläni siitä, että
sinut vihdoinkin sain kiinni, jotta vaikka selässäni kantaisin sinua
penikulman väsymystä ensinkään tuntematta. Muuten aiomme
valmistaa sinulle paarit oksista ja päällystakistasi; ja Crespolin
vuokratalolla on meillä hevosetkin.

— Hyvä, sanoi vangittu; kai te panette hiukan olkia paareille, jotta


minun on mukavampi olla.

Sillä välin kuin muutamat jääkäreistä puuhailivat valmistellen


jonkinlaisia kantopaareja kastanjan oksista ja toiset sitoivat
Gianetton haavaa, ilmestyi Mateo Falcone vaimoineen äkkiä erään
palolle vievän polun käänteestä. Vaimo asteli hyvin kumarassa
kantaen tavattoman suurta kastanjasäkkiä, sillä aikaa kuin hänen
miehensä kulki herrana edellä, ainoastaan pyssy kädessä ja toinen
kantohihnassa; miehen arvo ei näet salli hänen kantaa muita
taakkoja kuin aseensa.

Nähdessään sotamiehet arveli Mateo heti, että ne olivat tulleet


häntä vangitsemaan. Mutta mistä tämä ajatus? Oliko Mateolla
mitään oikeuden kanssa tekemistä? Ei. Hänhän oli päinvastoin
hyvässä maineessa. Hän oli, kuten sanotaan, hyvämaineinen ja
itsenäinen mies; mutta hän oli korsikkalainen ja vuoristolainen, eikä
Korsikan vuoristolaisten joukossa ole monta, joka ei tarkoin
muistellessaan löytäisi menneisyytensä ansioluettelosta jotakin pikku
rikosta, sellaista kuin pyssynlaukausta, tikarinpistoa tai jotakin muuta
vähäpätöisyyttä. Mateolla oli parempi omatunto kuin ehkä
kenelläkään muulla, sillä ainakaan kymmeneen vuoteen ei hän ollut
tähdännyt pyssyänsä ihmistä kohti; mutta siitä huolimatta hän oli
varovainen ja varustausi ankaraan itsepuolustukseen, jos tarvis
sellaista vaati.

— Vaimo, sanoi hän Giuseppalle, heitä maahan säkkisi ja ole


varuillasi.

Tämä tottelikin silmänräpäyksessä. Mateo antoi hänelle pyssyn,


joka oli ollut kantohihnassa ja joka ehkä olisi ollut vain vastuksena.
Sitten hän latasi kädessään olevan tuliputken ja astui verkalleen
taloansa kohti pujotteleiden tien varrella kasvavien puiden välitse ja
ollen valmiina pienimmänkin vihamielisyyden huomatessaan
viskautumaan paksuimman puunrungon taakse, mistä saattoi
turvassa ollen itse ampua. Vaimo astui hänen jälkiään kantaen
varapyssyä ja patruunalaukkua. Hyvän aviovaimon velvollisuus on
näet taistelun tullessa ladata miehensä ampuma-aseet.

Ajutantille taas tuli aika hätä, kun näki Mateon lähestyvän näin
verkkaisin askelin, pyssy tanassa ja sormi liipasimella.

— Jos Mateo, ajatteli hän, sattuisi olemaan Gianetton sukulainen


tai ystävä ja tahtoisi häntä puolustaa, niin tulisivat luodit hänen
molemmista pyssyistään kahteen meistä yhtä varmasti kuin kirjeet
postissa; ja jos hän tähtää minuun, sukulaisuudesta huolimatta…

Tällaisessa hämmennystilassa hän teki sangen rohkean


päätöksen: hän astui näet yksin Mateota kohti kertoakseen hänelle
koko tapauksen ja lähestyi häntä kuin ainakin vanhaa tuttavaa; mutta
tuo pieni välimatka, joka erotti hänet Mateosta, tuntui hänestä
hirveän pitkältä.

— Hei, kuules, vanha toveri, huusi hän, — mitäs sinulle kuuluu,


hyvä ystävä? Tunnetko sinä minua, Gamba serkkuasi?
Sanaakaan vastaamatta Mateo pysähtyi, ja sillä aikaa kuin toinen
puheli, nosti hän verkalleen pyssyänsä, niin että sen suu oli taivasta
kohti ajutantin likelle saapuessa.

— Hyvää päivää, veliseni [Buon giorno, fratello, korsikkalaisten


tavallinen tervehdys], sanoi ajutantti ojentaen hänelle kätensä. Onpa
siitä aikoja, kun olen sinua nähnyt.

— Päivää, veli.

— Tulin ohikulkiessani sanomaan sinulle ja serkku Pepalle


hyvänpäivän. Olemme tänään olleet pitkällä matkalla, vaan ei sovi
valitella vaivojaan, kun on saanut sellaisen saaliin kuin me. Saimme
näet juuri kiinni Gianetto Sanpieron.

— Jumalan kiitos! huudahti Giuseppa. Viime viikolla hän varasti


meiltä lypsyvuohen.

Gambaa nämä sanat ilahuttivat.

— Kurja raukka, sanoi Mateo, hän oli nälissään.

— Se veijari puolustihe kuin jalopeura, jatkoi ajutantti hiukan


nolostuneena, — hän tappoi minulta yhden jääkärin eikä tyytynyt
vielä siihenkään, vaan katkaisi korpraali Chardonilta käsivarren… no,
vahinko ei ollut suuri, olihan tämä vain ranskalainen… Sitten hän oli
piiloutunut niin viisaasti, ettei lempokaan olisi häntä keksinyt. Ilman
pikku Fortunatoa en olisi häntä ikinä löytänyt.

— Fortunatoa! huudahti Mateo.

— Fortunatoa? toisti Giuseppa.


— Niin, Gianetto oli kätkeytynyt tuohon heinäsuovaan, mutta pikku
serkkunipa ilmaisi viekkauden. Minä aionkin sanoa hänen enolleen,
korpraalille, että lähettää Fortunatolle kauniin lahjan palkinnoksi. Ja
hänen sekä sinun nimesi tulevat raporttiin, jonka lähetän yleiselle
syyttäjälle.

— Kirous! mutisi hiljaa Mateo.

He olivat saapuneet jääkärijoukon luo. Gianetto lepäsi jo


paareillaan valmiina lähtöön. Nähdessään Mateon tulevan Gamban
seurassa hän hymyili omituisesti, käänsihe talon ovelle päin ja
sylkäisi kynnykselle sanoen:

— Kavaltajan asunto!

Täytyi olla valmis kuolemaan sen, joka uskalsi käyttää kavaltajan


nimeä Falconesta. Tarkka tikarinpisto, jota ei tarvitse uusia, olisi
tavallisissa oloissa loukkauksen heti kostanut. Mateo ei nyt
kuitenkaan tehnyt muuta liikettä kuin nosti murtuneen näköisenä
kätensä otsalleen.

Nähdessään isänsä tulevan oli Fortunato vetäytynyt tupaan. Sieltä


hän ennen pitkää palasi tuoden maitotuopin, jonka hän katse
maahan luotuna tarjosi Gianettolle.

— Pysy loitolla minusta! ärjäisi vangittu jyrkästi.

Kääntyen sitten erään jääkärin puoleen hän virkkoi: — Toveri


hyvä, annas minulle juotavaa!

Sotamies antoi litteän juomapullonsa hänelle käteen, ja rosvo joi


sen miehen antamaa vettä, jonka kanssa äsken oli laukauksia
vaihtanut. Sitten hän pyysi, että kätensä, jotka olivat köytetyt selän
taakse, sidottaisiin ristiin rinnalle.

— Lepään mieluummin mukavasti, sanoi hän.

Pyyntö täytettiin oitis; sitten antoi ajutantti lähtömerkin, lausui


jäähyväiset Mateolle mitään vastausta tältä saamatta, ja niin
lähdettiin kiireisin askelin nummelle päin.

Kului lähes kymmenen minuuttia, ennenkuin Mateo suunsa avasi.


Poikanen katseli levotonna vuoroin äitiänsä, vuoroin isäänsä, joka
pyssyynsä nojaten tuijotti häneen tuimasti.

— Sinä alottelet hyvin, sinä! sanoi Mateo vihdoin tyynellä äänellä,


joka kuitenkin värisytti sitä, ken miehen tunsi.

— Isä! huudahti poika lähestyen kyyneleet silmissä ikäänkuin


aikoen heittäytyä hänen jalkojensa juureen.

Mutta Mateo ärjäisi hänelle:

— Pois minusta!

Poika pysähtyi ja seisoi nyyhkyttäen liikkumattomana muutaman


askeleen päässä isästään.

Giuseppa tuli lähemmäksi. Hän oli huomannut kellonvitjat, joiden


pää pisti Fortunaton paidan aukeamasta esille.

— Kuka sinulle tämän kellon antoi? kysyi hän ankarasti.

— Serkkuni, ajutantti.
Falcone tempasi kellon ja lennätti sen sellaisella voimalla vasten
kiveä, että se pirstausi tuhanneksi muruksi.

— Vaimo, sanoi hän, onko tuo poika minun tekemäni?

Giuseppan ruskeat posket lensivät tulipunaisiksi.

— Mitä sinä sanotkin, Mateo, ja muistatko kenelle puhut!

— No niin, tuo poika on siis heimonsa ensimäinen kavaltaja.

Fortunaton nyyhkytykset kävivät kahta vertaa äänekkäämmiksi, ja


Falcone tuijotti häneen yhäti ilveksensilmillään. Vihdoin hän löi
pyssynsä perällä kerran maahan, heitti sen sitten olalleen ja lähti
astumaan palolle päin huutaen Fortunatoa tulemaan perästä. Poika
totteli.

Giuseppa juoksi Mateon jälkeen ja tarttui häntä käsivarteen.

— Hän on sentään sinun poikasi, sanoi hän vapisevalla äänellä ja


katsoi mustilla silmillään miestänsä silmiin nähdäksensä mitä hänen
mielessään liikkui.

— Laske irti minut! vastasi Mateo. Minä olen hänen isänsä.

Giuseppa syleili poikaansa ja meni itkien tupaan. Siellä hän


heittäysi polvilleen pyhän Neitsyen kuvan eteen ja rukoili kiihkeästi.
Sillä välin astui Falcone pari sataa askelta polkua myöten eikä
pysähtynyt ennen kuin tuli erään laakson luo, jonne laskeusi. Siinä
hän tutki maaperää pyssynsä perällä ja huomasi sen olevan
pehmeän ja helpon kaivaa. Paikka tuntui hänestä tarkoitukseen
soveliaalta.
— Fortunato, mene tuon suuren kiven luo.

Poika teki niinkuin käskettiin ja laskeusi sitten polvilleen.

— Lue rukouksesi.

— Isä, isä, älkää tappako minua.

— Lue rukouksesi! toisti Mateo hirvittävällä äänellä.

Supattaen ja nyyhkyttäen poikanen luki Isämeidän ja


uskontunnustuksen.
Isä vastasi kovalla äänellä: Amen! kummankin rukouksen jälkeen.

— Siinäkö ovat kaikki rukoukset, mitä osaat?

— Isä, osaan minä vielä Ave Marian ja sen, jonka täti minulle
opetti.

— Se on kovin pitkä, mutta menköön.

Poika luki rukouksensa sammuvalla äänellä.

— Oletko lopettanut?

— Voi, isä hyvä, armahtakaa! Antakaa anteeksi! En minä koskaan


enää semmoista tee! Ja minä rukoilen niin kauan korpraali-enoa,
että hän armahtaa Gianettoa!

Hän puhui vielä, kun Mateo jo oli virittänyt pyssynsä ja painoi


perän poskelleen lausuen:

— Jumala antakoon sinulle anteeksi!


Poika teki epätoivoisen yrityksen noustakseen isänsä polvia
syleilemään, mutta hänellä ei ollut siihen aikaa. Mateo laukaisi, ja
Fortunato kaatui kuolleena paikalle.

Luomatta silmäystäkään ruumiiseen lähti Mateo talollensa päin


hakemaan lapiota haudatakseen poikansa. Tuskin oli hän ehtinyt
astua muutamia askeleita, kun tapasi Giuseppan, joka laukauksesta
säikähtyneenä juoksi murhapaikalle.

— Mitä sinä olet tehnyt? huusi hän.

— Oikeutta.

— Ja missä hän on?

— Laaksossa. Aion juuri haudata hänet. Hän kuoli kristittynä, ja


minä luetan hänelle messun. Käy sano vävylleni Tiodoro Bianchille,
että hän muuttaa meille asumaan.

Etuvarustuksen valloitus.

Eräs ystäväni, upseeri, joka joitakuita vuosia sitten kuoli


kuumetautiin Kreikassa, kertoi minulle muutamana päivänä
ensimäisestä ottelusta, jossa hän oli ollut mukana. Hänen
kertomuksensa vaikutti minuun niin voimakkaasti, että heti
lomahetken saatuani kirjoitin sen muististani paperille. Tässä se nyt
on:

Saavuin rykmenttiin syyskuun 4:nnen päivän iltana. Everstin


tapasin leirikentällä. Ensin hän otti minut jotenkin tylysti vastaan;
mutta kenraali B:n antaman suosituskirjeeni luettuansa hän muutti
käytöstänsä ja lausui muutamia kohteliaita sanoja.

Hän esitti minut kapteenilleni, joka juuri palasi eräältä


partioretkeltä. Tämä kapteeni, jota minulla tuskin oli aikaa tarkastaa
tunteakseni, oli kookas, tummaverinen ja ulkomuodoltaan ankaran ja
tylyn näköinen mies. Tavallisena sotamiehenä hän oli alkanut uransa
ja voittanut sekä olkalippunsa että kunniamerkkinsä
taistelutantereella. Hänen äänensä oli käheä ja heikko ollen
omituisesti vastakkainen hänen melkein jättiläismäiselle vartalolleen.
Syynä tähän outoon äänenkäheyteen sanottiin olevan erään luodin,
joka oli kerrassaan lävistänyt hänet Jenan tappelussa.

Kuultuaan, että minä olin juuri päässyt Fontainebleaun


sotakoulusta, hän väänsi kasvonsa irvistykseen sanoen:

— Luutnanttini kaatui eilen…

Minä ymmärsin hänen tällä tahtovan sanoa: »Teidän pitäisi muka


täyttää hänen sijansa, mutta siihen ette kykene.» Huulillani pyöri jo
pisteliäs vastaus, mutta minä hillitsin itseni.

Kuu nousi Cheverinon etuvarustuksen takaa, joka sijaitsi kahden


kanuunanhan tämän päässä leirituliltamme. Suuri ja punainen se oli,
kuten tavallisesti noustessaan. Mutta tuona iltana se näytti
tavallistaan suuremmalta. Hetken ajan häämötti koko varustus vallan
synkkänä kuun heleässä hohteessa. Se muistutti purkautumaisillaan
olevan tulivuoren kartiomaista huippua.

Vierelläni oleva vanha sotamieskin huomasi kuun värin.


— Onpa se punainen, sanoi hän. Se merkitsee, että tuon
kuuluisan varustuksen valloitus käy meille kalliiksi!

Minä olen aina ollut taikauskoinen, ja varsinkin tällä hetkellä teki


tuo ennustus minuun syvän vaikutuksen. Laskeusin levolle, mutta en
saanut unta. Nousin makuulta ja kävelin jonkun aikaa katsellen
tavatonta tulijuovaa, joka kultasi Cheverinon kylän takaiset kukkulat.

Kun arvelin yön raittiin ja virkistävän ilman tarpeeksi vilvoittaneen


veriäni, palasin nuotiolle; kietoutuen huolellisesti päällystakkiini suljin
silmäni toivossa, etten avaisi niitä ennen päivän nousua. Mutta uni
vain ei tullut. Tahtomattani kävivät ajatukseni surullisiksi. Tuumin
itsekseni, ettei minulla noiden kentällä makaavien sadantuhannen
miehen joukossa ollut ainoatakaan ystävää. Jos haavoittuisin, niin
joutuisin sairashuoneeseen, missä tietämättömät välskärit minua
armotta kohtelisivat. Mieleeni johtui kaikki, mitä olin kirurgisista
leikkauksista kuullut. Ankarasti tykytti sydämeni, ja koneellisesti minä
asettelin nenäliinan ja lompakon rinnalleni jonkinlaiseksi panssariksi.
Väsymys valtasi minut, nukahdin aina hetkeksi, mutta samassa sai
joku surullisempi ajatus suuremman voiman, niin että hytkähtäen
heräsin. Väsymys voitti kuitenkin vihdoin, ja kun herätysrumpu soi,
nukuin minä makeinta untani. Asetuimme rintamaan, aamuhuuto
tapahtui, sitten pantiin aseet takaisin ristikoilleen ja kaikki näytti siltä,
kuin olisi meillä ollut aikomus viettää päivä aivan levollisesti.

Noin kolmen aikaan saapui ajutantti tuoden käskyn. Meidät


kutsuttiin uudelleen aseihin, jääkärimme hajoitettiin ympäri kenttää,
me seurasimme heitä verkalleen, ja kahdenkymmenen minuutin
kuluttua näimme venäläisten etuvartijoiden järjestäytyvän ja
palaavan varustukseen takaisin.
Eräs tykkipatteri asettui oikealle, toinen vasemmalle meistä, mutta
molemmat jotenkin kauas edellemme. Ne alkoivat sangen kiivaan
tulen vihollista kohti, joka yhtä tuimasti vastasi, ja pian peittyi
Cheverinon varustus paksuihin savupilviin.

Eräs ylänkö melkein suojasi rykmenttimme venäläisten tulelta.


Kuulat, joita meitä kohti ei monta tullutkaan (vihollinen kun
etupäässä ahdisti tykkiväkeämme), lensivät ylitsemme tai viskelivät
meitä vastaan multaa ja pieniä kiviä.

Niin pian kuin käsky marssia eteenpäin oli annettu, katsoi kapteeni
minuun niin tutkivasti, että minun täytyi pyyhkäistä pari kertaa nuoria
viiksiäni näyttääkseni niin huolettomalta kuin mahdollista. Muuten ei
minua pelottanutkaan, ja ainoa huoleni oli se, että muut ehkä luulivat
minun pelkäävän. Nuo vaarattomat kuulat vaikuttivat nekin siihen,
että pysyin sankarillisen kylmäverisenä. Itserakkauteni taas toisti,
että todellakin olin vaarassa, koskapa kuitenkin olin patteritulen alla.
Tunsin itseni vallan iloiseksi hyvinvoinnistani ja mietiskelin, kuinka
hauskaa on kertoa Cheverinon varustuksen valloituksesta rouva B:n
salongissa Provencen-kadun varrella.

Eversti kulki juuri komppaniamme ohitse virkahtaen minulle: »Kas


nyt te saatte jo alkajaisiksenne totuuden tuntea.»

Minä hymyilin kuin sodan jumala ja pyyhkäisin hihaltani pois


multaa, jota eräs kolmenkymmenen askeleen päähän pudonnut
kanuunankuula oli viskannut päälleni.

Venäläiset näyttivät huomaavan luotiensa huonon menestyksen,


sillä he rupesivat nyt ampumaan räjähdyskuulilla, jotka paremmin
yllättivät meidät notkelmassamme. Eräs suurehko kranaatinsirpale
pyyhkäisi lakin päästäni ja tappoi miehen sivultani.
— Onnittelen teitä, sanoi kapteeni minulle, juuri kun olin saanut
lakkini maasta; kas nyt te olette turvattuna täksi päiväksi.

Minä olen usein huomannut tämän taikauskon sotamiehissä, jotka


uskovat, että selviö non bis in idem pitää paikkansa yhtä hyvin
taistelutantereella kuin oikeussalissa. Panin ylpeästi lakin jälleen
päähäni.

— Kas sepä oli suora tapa tervehtiä ihmisiä, sanoin niin iloisesti
kuin voin. Oloihin nähden pidettiin tätä huonoa sukkeluutta vallan
mainiona.

— Onnittelen teitä, toisti kapteeni vielä, muuta vahinkoa ei teille


tule tapahtumaan, ja vielä tänä iltana on teillä komppania
komennettavana, sillä kovin minun korviani tänään kuumennetaan.
Joka kerta kun olen haavoittunut, on vierelläni seisova upseeri
saanut kuolettavan luodin ja — lisäsi hän hiljempää ja melkein
häpeissään — heidän nimensä ovat aina alkaneet P:llä.

Tekeysin urhoolliseksi, ja useat olisivat kai tehneet minun tavallani;


moneen olisivat nämä ennustavat sanat vaikuttaneet niinkuin
minuunkin. Ensikertalaisena minä tunsin, etten voinut uskoa
ajatuksiani kenellekään, vaan että minun aina tuli näyttää
kylmäveriseltä ja urhoolliselta.

Puolen tunnin kuluttua venäläisten tuli hiljeni tuntuvasti; silloin


astuimme mekin esille suojapaikastamme marssiaksemme
varustusta kohti.

Rykmenttiimme kuului kolme pataljoonaa. Toinen pataljoona sai


tehtäväkseen käydä varustuksen kimppuun kiertämällä laakson
puolelta; molemmat toiset määrättiin rynnäkköä varten. Minä olin
kolmannessa pataljoonassa.

Tultuamme ulos rintavarustusten takaa, missä olimme olleet


suojattuina, kohtasi meitä moneen kertaan jalkaväen linjatuli
voimatta kuitenkaan suuria aukkoja riveihimme tuottaa. Kuulain
vinkuminen oudostutti minua: usein käänsin päätäni sinnepäin
saaden vain leikkisanoja vastaani tähän ääneen tottuneemmilta
tovereiltani.

— Tappelu ei lopulta olekaan niin hirvittävä asia, arvelin itsekseni.

Rientoaskelin astuimme eteenpäin, jääkärit etunenässä; yhtäkkiä


venäläiset kiljaisivat kolme hurraata, kolme eri kertaa, pysyen sitten
vallan hiljaa ja ampumatta.

— En pidä tuosta hiljaisuudesta, sanoi kapteeni, se ei ennusta


hyvää.

Mielestäni meikäläiset melusivat liian kovasti, enkä voinut olla


sisässäni vertaamatta heidän rähiseviä huutojansa vihollisen
juhlalliseen äänettömyyteen.

Jouduimme pian varustuksen juurelle, vallisuojukset olivat


kuulamme rikkoneet ja mullistelleet. Sotamiehet ryntäsivät näille
uusille raunioille huutaen eläköön keisari! kovemmin kuin olisi voinut
odottaakaan ihmisiltä, jotka jo olivat niin paljon kirkuneet.

Loin katseeni ylöspäin enkä ikinä unohda silloista näkyä. Enin osa
savua oli kohonnut ilmaan ja riippui kuin telttakatos noin
kahdenkymmenen jalan korkealla varustuksen yllä. Sinertävän
usvan läpi näkyivät puoleksi hajonneen rintasuojuksensa takana
venäläiset krenatöörit, jotka seisoivat pyssyt koholla ja
liikkumattomina kuin patsaat. Olen vieläkin näkevinäni jokaisen
sotamiehen, vasen silmä meihin luotuna ja oikea kohotetun pyssyn
peitossa. Eräässä ampumareiässä muutamia askeleita meistä seisoi
mies tulisoihtu kädessä kanuunansa vieressä.

Minua värisytti, ja luulin jo viimeisen hetkeni tulleen.

— Kas nyt alkaa tanssi, pojat, huusi kapteeni. Hyvästi!

Ne olivat viimeiset sanat, mitkä kuulin hänen lausuvan.

Rummunpärinää kuului varustuksesta. Näin kaikkien pyssyjen


laskeutuvan. Ummistin silmäni ja kuulin hirmuisen paukkeen, jota
seurasi huudot ja voihkaukset. Avasin jälleen silmäni kummastellen,
että vielä olin hengissä. Varustus oli taas savun peitossa. Ympärilläni
haavoitettuja ja kuolleita. Kapteenini makasi jaloissani: hänen
päänsä oli eräs kuula murskannut, ja hänen aivojansa sekä vertansa
oli hulmahtanut vaatteilleni. Koko komppaniastani ei ollut pystyssä
enää kuin kuusi sotamiestä ja minä.

Tämän verisaunan saatuamme olimme hetken aikaa kuin


ällistyksissä. Asettaen lakkinsa miekkansa kärkeen kapusi eversti
ensimäisenä rintasuojukselle huutaen: eläköön keisari! ja hänen
jäljessään heti kaikki muut eloon jääneet. En paljon muista mitä
sitten seurasi. Me jouduimme varustuksen sisään, en tiedä millä
tavoin. Taisteltiin käsikähmässä niin paksussa savussa, ettei voitu
nähdä toisiaan. Luulen lyöneenikin, koskapahan sapelini oli vallan
verinen. Vihdoin kuulin huudettavan: »voitto on meidän!» ja savun
hälvetessä näin koko varustuksen kentän verta ja kuolleita täynnä.
Varsinkin kanuunat olivat vallan haudattuina ruumiskasojen alle.
Noin kaksisataa miestä ranskalaisissa univormuissa seisoi ryhmässä
ilman järjestystä, toiset ladaten pyssyjänsä, toiset puhdistaen
pistimiänsä. Yksitoista venäläistä vankia oli heidän keskessään.

Eversti lepäsi vallan verisenä särkyneiden vaunujen päällä linnan


portin suulla. Muutamia sotamiehiä tunkeili hänen ympärillään;
minäkin lähestyin häntä.

— Missä on vanhin kapteeni? kysyi hän eräältä kersantilta.

Kersantti kohautti olkapäitään sangen merkitsevällä tavalla.

— Entä vanhin luutnantti?

— Tämä eilen saapunut herra tässä, sanoi kersantti vallan tyynellä


äänellä.

Eversti hymyili happamesti.

— No niin, hyvä herra, te siis komennatte päällikkönä; varustakaa


heti linnoituksen portti näillä muonavaunuilla, sillä vihollinen on vielä
voimakas, mutta kenraali C… tulee avuksenne.

— Eversti, sanoin minä, te olette kai pahoin haavoittunut?

— Yks'kaikki, ystäväni, mutta varustus on valloitettu!

Arpapeli.

Liikkumattomina riippuivat purjeet mastoja vasten; meren pinta oli


kirkas kuin peili, ilma tukahuttavan kuuma ja tyven vallan toivoton.

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