Wearable ultrasound monitoring in minimally invasive cardiac surgery: A case report

This report presents a case of a minimally invasive cardiac intervention guided by wearable ultrasound monitoring. A 49-year-old female patient was admitted with recurrent palpitations and chest tightness for over 10 years, with symptoms worsening in the past half month. She was diagnosed with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and congenital bicuspid aortic valve malformation. The WISMED wearable ultra-sound device was utilized for real-time monitoring during the PFO closure procedure, with a focus on the right ventricular inflow and outflow tract views. This technology obviates the need for esophageal intubation typically associated with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and offers capabilities for continuous, hands-free monitoring that may present advantages over intermittent traditional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) during such interventional procedures. Its application demonstrates utility for precise device guidance and real-time assessment of procedural success and potential complications. This case suggests that wearable ultrasound technology can be a safe and effective monitoring tool in selected minimally invasive cardiac interventional procedures, offering a new monitoring option for such surgeries.