ALTERATIONS OF SURGICAL PLANS AND ASSESSMENT OF RESULTS

Atheromatous Disease of the Aorta

TEE has had a positive influence on intraoperative management and outcome in patients with atheromatous disease of the aorta. In 130 patients older than 65 years undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, TEE detection of protruding atheroma of the ascending aorta proved to be the most important independent predictor of stroke.^[94] When a protruding atheroma or aortic arch intimal thickening of greater than 5 mm is detected by TEE, appropriate alteration of the aortic cannulation technique or avoidance of cannulation altogether will lower the chance of stroke.^{[95] [96]}