Hemodynamic assessment of ventilated ICU patients with cardiorespiratory failure using a miniaturized multiplane transesophageal echocardiography probe

Purpose To assess the feasibility, image quality, diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic impact and tolerance of diagnostic and hemodynamic assessment using a novel miniaturized multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe in ventilated ICU patients with cardiopulmonary compromise. Study design Prospective, descriptive, single-center study. Methods Fifty-seven ventilated patients with acute circulatory or respiratory failure were assessed, using a miniaturized multiplane TEE probe and a standard TEE probe used as reference, randomly by two independent experienced operators. Measurements of hemodynamic parameters were independently performed off-line by a third expert. Diagnostic groups of acute circulatory failure ( n = 5) and of acute respiratory failure ( n = 3) were distinguished. Hemodynamic monitoring was performed in 9 patients using the miniaturized TEE probe. TEE tolerance and therapeutic impact were reported. Results The miniaturized TEE probe was easier to insert than the standard TEE probe. Despite lower imaging quality of the miniaturized TEE probe, the two probes had excellent diagnostic agreement in patients with acute circulatory failure (Kappa: 0.95; 95 % CI: 0.85–1) and with acute respiratory failure (Kappa: 1; 95 % CI: 1.0–1.0). Accordingly, therapeutic strategies derived from both TEE examinations were concordant (Kappa: 0.82; 95 % CI: 0.66–0.97). The concordance between quantitative hemodynamic parameters obtained with both TEE probes was also excellent. No relevant complication secondary to TEE probes insertion occurred. Conclusions Hemodynamic assessment of ventilated ICU patients with cardiopulmonary compromise using a miniaturized multiplane TEE probe appears feasible, well-tolerated, and relevant in terms of diagnostic information and potential therapeutic impact. Further larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.