Transesophageal Echocardiography Performed by Intensivists and Emergency Physicians: A 5-Year Review

First Author(s)

• 

  Trenton Wray, MD,

  Assistant Professor; Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
  University of New Mexico
  Albuquerque, New Mexico

  Disclosure information not submitted.

  Slides and Audio

Co-Author(s)

• 

  Molly Johnson, MD

  Critical Care Fellow
  n/a
  Omaha, NE

  Disclosure information not submitted.
• SC

  Shelby Cluff

  Medical Student
  University of New Mexico, United States

  Disclosure information not submitted.
• FN

  Fiona Nguyen

  Medical Student
  University of New Mexico, United States

  Disclosure information not submitted.
• 

  Isaac Tawil, MD, FCCM

  Professor
  University of New Mexico School of Medicine
  Albuquerque, New Mexico

  Disclosure information not submitted.
• DB

  Darren Braude, MD, EMT-P

  Professor of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology
  University of New Mexico, United States

  Disclosure information not submitted.
• WH

  Wendy Hanna, MD

  Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
  University of New Mexico, United States

  Disclosure information not submitted.
• KA

  Keith Azevedo, MD

  Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
  University of New Mexico, United States

  Disclosure information not submitted.
• RV

  Ranjani Venkataramani, MD

  Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care
  u, United States

  Disclosure information not submitted.
• TD

  Todd Dettmer, MD

  Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
  University of New Mexico
  Albuquerque, NM, United States

  Disclosure information not submitted.
• JM

  Jonathan Marinaro, MD, FCCM

  Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
  University of New Mexico, United States

  Disclosure information not submitted.

Title: Transesophageal Echocardiography Performed by Intensivist and Emergency Physicians – A 5 Year Review

Introduction: Data on the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) by intensivist physicians (IP) and emergency physicians (EP) is limited. This study aimed to characterize the use of TEE by IPs and EPs in critically ill patients at a single center in the United States.

Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review of all critical care TEEs performed from January 1st, 2016 – January 31st, 2021. The personnel performing the exams, location of the exams, characteristics of exams, complications, and outcome of the patients were reviewed.

Results: A total of 396 examinations were reviewed. TEE was performed by IPs (92%) and EPs (9%). The location of TEE included: ICU (87%), ED (11%), and prehospital (2%) settings. The most common indications for TEE were: hemodynamic instability/shock (44%), cardiac arrest (23%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) facilitation, adjustment, or weaning (21%). The most common diagnosis based on TEE were: normal TEE (25%), left ventricular dysfunction (19%), and vasodilatory shock (15%). A management change resulted from 89% of exams performed. Complications occurred in 2% of critical care TEEs.

Conclusion: TEE can be successfully performed by IPs and EPs on critically ill patients in multiple clinical settings. TEE frequently informed management changes with few complications.