Echocardiography in structural heart disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to detail the current state of utilization of echocardiographic modalities in structural heart disease interventions (transthoracic, transesophageal, and intracardiac), and to describe the role of the cardiac anesthesiologist as an interventional imager in this space. RECENT FINDINGS: The increase in utilization of advanced, real-time echocardiographic modalities because of innovation in technology in the structural heart space now demands higher-level skill sets from interventional imagers, both cardiologists and anesthesiologists alike. SUMMARY: The knowledge of current technologies (echocardiographic and transcatheter device technologies) as well as required echocardiographic competencies will continue to equip cardiac anesthesiologists with the tools to stay up-to-date and in-step with the rapid innovation taking place in this field.