The use of automation and semi-automation in echocardiography has
already been implemented in 3D echocardiography, strain imaging, and
other specific echocardiography acquisitions in an attempt to increase
efficiency and reproducibility 6, 7. By implementing
automated and standardized protocols for TEE image acquisition,
efficiency and reproducibility of TEE may improve as has been
demonstrated in other US modalities. Thus far, no studies have examined
the use of automation driven protocols in TEE imaging acquisition.
In this study, we evaluated an automated workflow protocol system for
TEE compared with a manual acquisition protocol. We hypothesized that an
automated TEE imaging protocol improves study efficiency and workflow
compared with a manual protocol.