Use of McGrath MAC Videolaryngoscope to Assist Transesophageal Echocardiography Probe Insertion in Intubated Patients

Efficacy and safety of videolaryngoscopes for transesophageal echocardiography probe insertion: A trial sequential meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aimed to compare videolaryngoscope (VL)-assisted transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe insertion with conventional methods in terms of efficacy and safety.

METHODS

Several major databases such as Medline and Embase were systematically searched to identified relevant studies from inception to June 2024. The primary outcome was complication rate, defined as the proportion of patients experiencing complications related to TEE probe insertion. Injuries at specific sites (e.g., posterior hypopharyngeal wall) from both groups were also analyzed. The secondary outcomes included the first-attempt success rate and total insertion time of VL and conventional methods.

RESULTS

Seven trials involving 716 participants were identified. The use of VL was found to significantly reduce the complication rate (risk ratio[RR]:0.28, 95% confidence interval[CI]:0.17-0.46, P < 0.00001) and increased the first-attempt success rate [FASR] (RR:1.33, 95%CI: 1.10-1.60, P = 0.003) compared with conventional methods. These findings were confirmed by trial sequential analysis. No significant difference was found in the TEE insertion time among the two techniques (mean difference: -2.94s, 95%CI: -10.28-4.4, P = 0.43). VL significantly reduced the risk of trauma to the hypopharyngeal wall but showed no significant benefits in other areas (e.g., pyriform sinus). The certainty of evidence was moderate for the complication rate, very low for the FAS rate, and low for the TEE insertion time.

CONCLUSION

The use of VL for TEE probe insertion is associated with a significantly lower complication rate and higher FAS rate than conventional methods. These findings suggest that VL enhances patient safety and improves the efficiency of TEE probe insertion.

A Study of Factors Predicting Difficulties in Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Probe Insertion in Adult Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Background and objective While transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is crucial in cardiac surgery, the probe insertion can be challenging. This observational study aimed to identify predictive factors associated with difficult TEE probe insertion in adult cardiac surgery patients. Methods A total of 119 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery were included in the study. Demographic variables (age, gender, and BMI) and airway factors (modified Mallampati classification, modified Cormack-Lehane grading, and thyromental distance) were analyzed. The difficulty of TEE probe insertion was categorized into three grades, and various maneuvers were assessed for difficult insertions. Results Of note, 30.3% of insertions were difficult. Male gender (OR: 1.8), BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (OR: 2.5), Mallampati class III-IV (OR: 3.2), Cormack-Lehane grade IIb-IV (OR: 2.7), and thyromental distance <6.5 cm (OR: 1.9) were significantly associated with difficult insertion. Jaw thrust was the most effective maneuver (58.3%) for difficult cases. Conclusions Based on our findings, several demographic and airway factors predict difficulties in TEE probe insertion. Understanding these factors can help clinicians anticipate challenges and prepare appropriate strategies, potentially reducing complications associated with probe insertion.

Videolaryngoscope versus conventional technique for insertion of a transesophageal echocardiography probe in intubated ICU patients (VIDLARECO trial): A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Transesophageal echocardiogram probe insertion in intubated critically ill patients can be difficult, leading to complications, such as gastric bleeding or lesions in the oropharyngeal mucosa. We hypothesised that the use of a videolaryngoscope would facilitate the first attempt at insertion of the transesophageal echocardiogram probe and would decrease the incidence of complications compared to the conventional insertion technique.

METHODS

In this clinical trial, patients were randomly assigned the insertion of a transesophageal echocardiogram probe using a videolaryngoscope or conventional technique. The primary outcome was the successful transesophageal echocardiogram probe insertion on the first attempt. The secondary outcomes included total success rate, number of insertion attempts, and incidence of pharyngeal complications.

RESULTS

A total of 100 intubated critically ill patients were enrolled. The success rate of transesophageal echocardiogram probe insertion on the first attempt was higher in the videolaryngoscope group than in the conventional group (90% vs. 58%; absolute difference, 32%; 95% CI 16%-48%; p < 0.001). The overall success rate was higher in the videolaryngoscope group than in the conventional group (100% vs. 72%; absolute difference, 28%; 95% CI 16%-40%; p < 0.001). The incidence of pharyngeal mucosal injury was smaller in the videolaryngoscope group than in the conventional group (14% vs. 52%; absolute difference, 38%; 95% CI 21%-55%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that in intubated critically ill patients required transesophageal echocardiogram, the use of videolaryngoscope resulted in higher successful insertion on the first attempt with lower rate of complications when compared with the conventional insertion technique.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04980976.

Medical Malpractice Claims Related to Performance of Transesophageal Echocardiography by Anesthesiologists

More than 300,000 adults have cardiac surgery in the United States annually, and most undergo intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). This patient population is often older with multiple comorbidities, increasing their risk for complications for even routine procedures. Major morbidity or mortality caused by TEE is rare, and it is unknown how often such complications lead to malpractice lawsuits. The authors identified 13 cases out of 2,564 in a closed claims database that involved TEE and reviewed their etiology. Esophageal injury accounted for most of the suits, and only 2 were related to diagnosis. Most expert reviews deemed the care provided by the anesthesiologist to be appropriate.

Use of a Video Laryngoscope to Reduce Complications of Transesophageal Echocardiography Probe Insertion: A Multicenter Randomized Study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this multicenter study was to test the hypothesis of whether the use of a video laryngoscope (VL) reduces complications related to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe insertion.

DESIGN

A multicenter randomized control study.

SETTING

At 5 tertiary care level hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred sixty-three adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

The patients were randomized into 2 groups-the conventional group (C group; n = 177) and the VL group (n = 186) for TEE probe insertion.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary endpoint of the study was the incidence of oropharyngeal injury, which was defined as blood at the tip of the TEE probe at the end of surgery and/or evidence of injury on VL examination at the end of surgery. The secondary endpoints of the study were the number of attempts required for successful TEE probe insertion and the relation between the esophageal inlet and the larynx. There was a higher incidence of injuries in the C group (n = 26; 14.7%) compared to the VL group (n = 14; 7.5%; p = 0.029). The number of attempts for probe insertion was significantly lower in the VL group (p = 0.0023). The most common relation between the esophageal inlet and the larynx was posterolateral (n = 88; 47%), followed by posterior (n = 77; 41%) and lateral (n = 21;12%).

CONCLUSION

The use of VL was associated with a lesser incidence of injury compared to the conventional technique, and its use for this purpose is recommended. The use of VL for probe insertion resulted in fewer attempts compared with the conventional technique. Significant variations do exist in the relation between the esophageal inlet and the larynx, and direct visualization with VL may contribute to better safety.

[Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography as monitoring procedure in noncardiac surgery patients]

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is firmly established in cardiac surgery for diagnostics, hemodynamic monitoring and as a guiding tool. Dynamic and (patho)physiological processes of the heart can be immediately depicted. Ideally, therapeutic changes can be derived. For this reason, TEE is increasingly used in high-risk non-cardiac surgery interventions and in the interventional setting. In the first part of this advanced training series, general aspects regarding TEE examinations as well as indications and contraindications are presented. Clinical fields of application, where TEE can play a role in hemodynamic monitoring are outlined. The second part focusses on an emergency examination pathway and differential diagnoses, which can be made in the event of intraoperative hemodynamic instability or unexplained hypoxemia using TEE. The article concludes with an outlook on the use of computer-aided evaluation of TEE images.

McGRATH MAC video laryngoscope assistance during transesophageal echocardiography may reduce the risk of complications: a manikin study

BACKGROUND

Although transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is considered a relatively safe diagnostic monitoring method, blind probe insertion is associated with pharyngeal trauma. Through visual observation of the esophageal inlet with the McGRATH video laryngoscope, it may be possible to insert the TEE probe at an appropriate angle and prevent pharyngeal trauma. We conducted a manikin study to investigate whether the use of the McGRATH video laryngoscope for TEE probe insertion reduced the pressure on the posterior pharyngeal wall.

METHODS

Twenty-seven junior (inexperienced group) and 10 senior (experienced group) anesthesiologists participated in this study. The TEE probe was inserted into an airway manikin in a blind fashion (blind group) or under visualization with the McGRATH (McGRATH group) video laryngoscope (three times each). A sealed bag filled with normal saline was placed on the back of the posterior pharyngeal wall of the manikin and connected to a patient monitoring system via a pressure transducer. We measured the internal bag pressure and approximated this value to the pressure on the posterior pharyngeal wall.

RESULTS

The pressure on the posterior pharyngeal wall was significantly lower in the McGRATH group than in the blind group (p < 0.001) and was significantly reduced when the McGRATH was employed in both the inexperienced (p < 0.001) and experienced (p < 0.001) groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that TEE probe insertion under the assistance of the McGRATH video laryngoscope can reduce the pressure on the posterior pharyngeal wall, regardless of the clinician's experience, and may inform clinical practice with the potential to reduce probe insertion-associated complication rates.

Videolaryngoscopy for transesophageal echocardiography probe insertion: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a well-established procedure, but serious complications may occur. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the utility of videolaryngoscopy-assisted technique in TEE probe insertion. We performed a systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and ICTRP. We included RCTs comparing TEE probe insertion techniques assisted with videolaryngoscopy and with any other insertion technique in adult patients. Primary outcome measures were (1) the number of attempts before successful TEE probe insertion, and (2) the risk of any procedural injury to related structures. The secondary outcome measure was time to TEE probe insertion. In total, three studies (n = 266) were included in this systematic review. Overall, a significantly less number of attempts were required with videolaryngoscopy-assisted insertion (mean difference [MD] - 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.73, - 0.46; low quality of evidence). Videolaryngoscopy-assisted technique was also associated with smaller risk of complications (risk ratio [RR] 0.17; 95% CI 0.05, 0.62; low quality of evidence). There was no significant difference in time to probe insertion (MD - 8.57; 95% CI - 26.31, 9.16; very low quality of evidence). The use of videolaryngoscopy for TEE probe insertion is associated with a significant reduction in the number of attempts and complication rate.