Guidelines for the Performance of a Comprehensive Intraoperative Epiaortic Ultrasonographic Examination: Recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists; Endorsed by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons
The purpose of this document is to provide the rationale for the routine performance of EAU imaging, and to present a standardized sequence of imaging planes for a comprehensive examination. Training guidelines along with indications, techniques, and use of this procedure are discussed. Grading of the severity of atherosclerosis is addressed, and a summary of various currently available grading systems is provided.
