Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Comparison of Performance Characteristics of Flexible Bronchoscopy– or Video Laryngoscopy–Assisted Insertion Versus Blind Insertion of Transesophageal Echocardiography Probe in Adults Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors' conclusion
Flexible bronchoscopy-assisted TEE probe insertion provides similar performance characteristics to video laryngoscopy-assisted insertion albeit with less hemodynamic perturbation and is superior to blind insertion of the TEE probe.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery124 completed
- Participants
- 135 adults
- Comparison
- Flexible bronchoscopy- or video laryngoscopy-assisted vs blind transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe insertion
- Bn = 45reference
- VLn = 45
- FBn = 45
- Primary endpoint
- First-attempt success rate of TEE probe insertion
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
P = 0.042
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Time to probe insertionFB vs VL and B · significantly longer in FB | P = 0.001 |
| Number of attempts for successful insertionVL and FB vs B · significantly lower in visually assisted groups | P = 0.01 |
Increase in heart rate and MAP · immediately after and at 3 minutes after insertion
- Significantly lower in FB vs VL and B; no difference between VL and B
Operator satisfaction
- Comparable among the groups
Safety
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Blood at the tip of the probeVL and FB vs B · significantly lower with visually guided techniques | P = 0.005 |
| Probe-related injuriesVL and FB vs B · comparable across the groups | P = 0.09 |
Original publication
Comparison of Performance Characteristics of Flexible Bronchoscopy– or Video Laryngoscopy–Assisted Insertion Versus Blind Insertion of Transesophageal Echocardiography Probe in Adults Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 21 January 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →