Laryngeal Mask Airway versus Natural Airway for Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Retrospective Comparison of Safety and Efficacy
Main finding · Hypoxemia (SpO₂ <90%)Result — go to the resultAdjusted odds ratio 0.19 95% CI 0.14–0.26Authors' conclusion
LMA use during TEE is associated with reduced hypoxemia, shorter recovery, and lower mortality.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing elective, nonoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) outside the operating room at a large academic medical center, January 2020–December 2023
- Participants
- 1,105 adults
- Exposure
- Laryngeal mask airway (LMA) vs natural airway during non-operating room TEE
- LMAn = 399
- Natural airwayn = 706reference
- Outcome
- Incidence of hypoxemia (SpO₂ <90%)
Methodological detailssingle-center, Baseline characteristics similar in the 2 groups, Airway technique at the discretion of the anesthesia provider
- Single-center
- Baseline characteristics similar in the 2 groups
- Airway technique at the discretion of the anesthesia provider
Main finding
Hypoxemia (SpO₂ <90%)
Adjusted odds ratio
0.19
95% CI 0.14–0.26
P < 0.001
By group
LMA vs Natural airway
aOR 0.19 (95% CI 0.14–0.26); P < 0.001
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
30-day mortality
P = 0.023
| Outcome | LMA | Natural airway | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of hypoxemia | median 1 minute | median 3 minutes | P < 0.001 |
Safety
Conversion to endotracheal intubation
P < 0.001
Original publication
Laryngeal Mask Airway versus Natural Airway for Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Retrospective Comparison of Safety and Efficacy. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 3 October 2025. doi:10.
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