Buckled Micro-Transesophageal Echocardiography Probe During Patent Foramen Ovale Closure

As transcatheter cardiac treatment options continue to increase in number, most hospitals are forced to find solutions for sparse anesthesia resources. Conscious sedation with the help of a micro-transesophageal echocardiography (microTEE) probe can be considered in some procedures. However, new methods can induce unexpected problems. Here, we report 2 cases of buckled microTEE probes under patent foramen ovale closure. Fluoroscopy revealed different mechanisms of buckling in our patients. Esophageal buckling was solved by advancing the microTEE probe to the ventricle, whereas pharyngeal buckling was solved by careful retracting and straightening of the microTEE probe in the pharynx.