Results:
The study included 22 patients, 14 males, ages 31-83 years, average BMI of 28.8 kg/m2 (S.D.+/-6.3). Automated protocols compared with manual protocols significantly reduced TEE exam duration (novice, 10:59±2 vs 12:23±2 min; expert, 8:35±1 vs 9:54±2 min, p<0.05). The protocol performed second was shorter regardless of protocol method; however, the percentage decrease in duration was significantly greater when the automated protocol was performed second (27% vs 6%, p <0.05). The automated protocol required fewer sonographer keystrokes than the manual protocol (novice, 206±34 automated vs 287±48 manual; expert, 185±30 automated vs 254±43 manual, p<0.05). The total number of images acquired was similar between automated and manual protocols, without a significant difference in image quality.