Multicentric survey on the use of intraoperative echocardiography in cardiovascular surgery in Spain

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an essential tool in the intraoperative and postoperative period of cardiac surgery with recently wide diffusion. We aimed to know the current situation of TEE in the field of cardiovascular anesthesiology in Spain through a national survey that explores the availability of equipment, indication and use of this technique as well as the training and accreditation of professionals involved. The findings show that in Spain intraoperative TEE is an integral part of cardiovascular procedures today and in most centers it is performed by anesthesiologists highly involved in this type of surgery. Despite the absence of structured training in the curriculum of our specialty, anesthesiologists acquire the skills through specific short-term rotations and a high percentage of them have obtained official accreditation.