Objective To determine whether a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe can accurately measure temperature and be used to monitor temperature changes over time without overheating in an experimental model of hypothermia and rewarming. Methods A 6-L water bath was heated with a sous vide immersion circulator to 24, 28, 32, and 36 °C to simulate severe hypothermia, moderate hypothermia, mild hypothermia, and normothermia, respectively. A TEE probe, esophageal temperature probe, and bladder temperature probe were used to measure temperature every 60 seconds for 15 minutes. Results The TEE probe reported temperatures with a mean difference of 0.60 °C (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51 to 0.69 °C) compared to the sous vide immersion circulator. The esophageal probe and bladder probe reported temperatures with a mean difference of –0.19 °C (95% CI, –0.23 to –0.14 °C) and –0.20 °C (95% CI, –0.26 to –0.14 °C), respectively. Conclusion During this simulation, the TEE tip temperature did not increase beyond the expected changes produced by water temperature. The probe temperature was less accurate than the esophageal and bladder temperature probes but demonstrated precision in monitoring temperature changes and stable hypothermia. Based on this study, TEE probes should not be relied upon for an accurate initial temperature but can likely be used to monitor changes in temperature over time.
Determining the cause of cardiac arrest (CA) and the heart status during CA is crucial for its treatment. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an imaging method that facilitates close observation of the heart without interfering with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Intra-arrest TEE is a point-of-care ultrasound technique that is used during CPR. Intra-arrest TEE is performed to diagnose the cause of CA, determine the presence of cardiac contraction, evaluate the quality of CPR, assist with catheter insertion, and explore the mechanism of blood flow during CPR. The common causes of CA diagnosed using intra-arrest TEE include cardiac tamponade, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism, and intracardiac thrombus, which can be observed on a few simple image planes at the mid-esophageal and upper esophageal positions. To operate an intra-arrest TEE program, it is necessary to secure a physician who is capable of performing TEE, provide appropriate training, establish implementation protocols, and prepare a plan in collaboration with the CPR team.
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