C-MAC Videolaryngoscope for Insertion of a Transesophageal Echocardiography Probe in ICU Patients. A Randomized Controlled Trial

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is commonly used in operating room (cardiac surgery), as well as in other critical care settings. A recent meta-analysis including only three randomized studies demonstrated that the use of a videolaryngoscope for transesophageal echocardiography probe insertion in anesthetized patients undergoing open cardiac surgery was associated with a significant reduction in the number of attempts. insertion and complications rate, compared with blind insertion or a laryngoscope-assisted insertion.

ICU patients are usually intubated, with multiple complications, requiring high doses of catecholamines, and with frequent coagulation disorders. Many of these patients, during their stay in the ICU, require a transesophageal echocardiogram. On multiple occasions, due to the critical situation of the patients, due to edema, and coagulation alteration, the placement of the echocardiography probe can be difficult, leading to complications, such as gastric bleeding or lesions in the oropharyngeal mucosa.

To avoid complications during the insertion of the TEE tube, the investigators consider it necessary to introduce it in the fewest possible attempts.

The primary aim of the present study was to compare the success rate of TEE probe insertion at the first attempt betweenn the C-MAC videolaryngoscope assisted insertion and the blind insertion technique.

The secondary aim was to compared differences between the 2 groups in the incidence of complications ( oropharyngeal mucosal injury, hematoma, ....), overall success rate, the number of insertion attempts, and the duration of insertions.