Investigating the use of ultrasound imaging during heart bypass surgery
Official title: The Role of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography During Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10914283 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether using a special ultrasound called transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during heart bypass surgery can help doctors make better decisions and lower the chances of complications for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 25, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $191,484 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HL166964-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914283 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery who may benefit from enhanced intraoperative monitoring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients undergoing other types of cardiac surgeries or those who are not candidates for CABG may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), an ultrasound technique, during isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. It aims to determine whether TEE can improve surgical decision-making and reduce complications in patients undergoing this common heart procedure. The study will address the current lack of randomized evidence regarding the benefits and risks of TEE, which is crucial given the conflicting results from previous observational studies. By examining the effectiveness and safety of TEE, the research seeks to provide foundational data for future trials that could clarify its role in cardiac surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical outcomes and better decision-making during heart bypass surgeries.
How similar studies have gone: While this research addresses a critical evidence gap, previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of TEE in cardiac surgery, indicating that this area is still under investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackay, Emily Jane — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Mackay, Emily Jane
Related research
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AI-powered echocardiography reporting with visual-linguistic models
A Mayo Clinic physician aims to train and grow an AI-enabled system that helps automatically interpret echocardiograms and generate reports for patients with heart problems.
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New approaches to making transesophageal echocardiography safer and easier for patients
A novel NIH-funded project aims to improve how transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is done, reducing sedation risks and expanding access for adults who need heart imaging.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.