[Transesophageal and classical echocardiography in myocardial infarction and heart valve disease (comparison study)].

In 85 patients (22 with myocardial infarct and 63 with valvular heart disease) echocardiographical examination simultaneously by classical and transesophageal methods was done. The transesophageal method was better in assessing the aortic valve and similar to the classical method in reference to the mitral valve. Heart contractility assessment was better with the classical method. Transesophageal echocardiography is the method of choice in patients in whom classical echocardiography cannot be done (obesity, emphysema, chest deformation).