Does emptying the stomach improve TEE heart images?
The Effect of Orogastric Suctioning on Quality of Transesophageal Echo Images in Cardiac Surgery
Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NCT07209293
This will see if suctioning stomach contents during heart surgery improves the clarity of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) images for patients having TEE-guided cardiac operations.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Wake Forest University Health Sciences (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT07209293 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Patients undergoing TEE-assisted cardiac surgery will have a standard transesophageal echocardiography probe placed and five specific standard images recorded. An oral gastric tube will then be placed to suction stomach contents, removed, and the same five images repeated for comparison. Two independent, blinded echocardiography cardiologists will grade the before-and-after images on a 1–4 quality scale to measure any change. Patients with hiatal hernia, esophageal strictures, or other contraindications to TEE are excluded, and the research is conducted at Atrium Health–Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults undergoing cardiac surgery that uses TEE who do not have hiatal hernia, esophageal stricture, or other contraindications to TEE are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with hiatal hernia, suspected or documented esophageal strictures, or any contraindication to TEE or oral gastric tube placement would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the procedure could provide clearer intraoperative TEE images, improving real-time cardiac monitoring and decision-making during surgery.
How similar studies have performed: The idea of gastric decompression to reduce interference is used informally, but formal blinded comparisons specifically measuring TEE image quality are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: \- Transesophageal echocardiography assisted cardiac surgery Exclusion Criteria: * hiatal hernia * documented or suspected esophageal stricture * contraindications to a TEE
Where this trial is running
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Atrium Health-Wake Forest Baptist — Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Scott Coleman, DO — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Scott Coleman, DO
- Email: Scott.Coleman@advocatehealth.org
- Phone: 336-716-4498
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: TEE Image Quality, gastric suction, transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac surgery