Abstract
Background: In upper endoscopy, overtubes protect the hypopharynx and esophagus in patients requiring multiple esophageal intubations. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is frequently used in general cardiology practice to provide high-resolution, real-time images of cardiac structures that are often not visualized by transthoracic imaging alone. Patients with a history of esophageal disorders or difficult esophageal intubations may have increased risk for complications from the echoprobe. An esophageal overtube may facilitate TEE in such patients. Objective: We sought to evaluate the usefulness of upper endoscopy with placement of an esophageal overtube to facilitate TEE in patients with prior difficult esophageal intubations. Methods: We performed upper endoscopy, followed by placement of an esophageal overtube, in 4 patients who had an unsuccessful intubation with the TEE probe. The endoscopic procedures were successfully completed, thus, allowing for uneventful subsequent TEE. Conclusions: Upper endoscopy with placement of an esophageal overtube may allow for safe successful completion of TEE in patients with previously unsuccessful blind esophageal intubation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 285-289 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 2007 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine