Comparing two ultrasound techniques for heart surgery

Reassessing Normative Cardiac Chamber Measurements: A Comparative Study of TTE and TEE Under General Anesthesia.

Observational Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · NCT06715371

This study is testing which ultrasound method, done on the chest or during surgery, gives better measurements of heart size in adults having heart surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment114 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Academic / other
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT06715371 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study compares transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in measuring cardiac chamber dimensions in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. TTE is a non-invasive technique performed on the chest, while TEE is an invasive method used during surgery for clearer images. The study aims to evaluate the agreement between measurements from both techniques and how factors like general anesthesia and breathing techniques affect these measurements. A total of 114 adult patients scheduled for coronary revascularization surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre will be enrolled, with imaging procedures conducted as part of standard care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older scheduled for coronary revascularization surgery under general anesthesia with normal left and right ventricular function.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to TTE or TEE, those with poor-quality echocardiography data, or those undergoing emergency cardiac surgery may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the accuracy of cardiac chamber measurements during surgery, leading to improved patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the comparison of TTE and TEE is common, this specific investigation into their agreement under anesthesia is less explored, making it a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18, able to provide informed consent.
* Patients scheduled for coronary revascularization cardiac surgery under general anesthesia.
* With normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function, defined by an ejection fraction of 50% or more, and normal right ventricular (RV) systolic function.
* Requiring intraoperative echocardiographic assessment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with contraindications to either transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
* History of poor-quality echocardiography data that preclude accurate assessment.
* Undergoing emergency cardiac surgery.

Where this trial is running

Toronto, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Heart ChambersCardiac ImagingCardiac Chamber DimensionsGeneral AnesthesiaCardiac SurgeryImaging AgreementDiagnostic AccuracyPerioperative Care
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.