We started to use transthoracic echocardiography  back in 1989, almost 20 years ago. In the beginning very sporadically while transesophageal echo for perioperative monitoring was implemented in our cardiothoracic unit.

The FATE-protocol has been continuously developed and adjusted especially in the late 90’ies. Data for the FATE original article started in 2001 but was not published until 2004 because many publishers at that time found such an approach developed by anaesthesiologists and intensivists too controversial. But this has changed now….

Today FATE is mandatory when admitting an acute patient to our 20 beds mixed ICU and all physicians are being educated in the FATE-protocol. FATE is also thoroughly used in our pediatric and cardiac intensive care unit.