The modified Blalock-Taussig shunt is the palliative treatment of choice for tetralogy of Fallot. Shunt thrombosis is a potential complication, requiring high-risk reoperation. The use of percutaneous rheolytic devices for thrombus removal in such occluded shunts has not been previously reported. We describe a case in which use of a rheolytic catheter resulted in significant thrombus removal and rapid reversal of cyanosis and dyspnea in a 5-year-old patient. The patient remains free of symptoms at 30-day follow-up.

With transthoracic echocardiography, many pathologies can certainly be seen, but in a number of cases, due to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the patient (thick layer of subcutaneous fat, large breast size in women, lung disease, chest deformation, etc.) hearts can not be fully explored. The use of a transoesophageal sensor can overcome all these difficulties. The review highlights the methodology, indications, and possibilities of transesophageal echocardiogram in the main heart diseases (coronary heart disease, congenital and acquired heart defects, arrhythmias) and acute pathological conditions (acute dissection of the aorta, air embolism).