Easy external landmarks to guide correct esophageal probe placement
ESOTIP-TEE: Defining an Easy Landmark to Guide Correct Esophageal Probe Placement With Transesophageal Echocardiography
This study will test whether simple external body landmarks can reliably tell clinicians how far to insert an esophageal temperature probe in adult ICU patients undergoing TEE.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Merano, BZ) |
| Trial ID | NCT07574736 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This prospective observational study will enroll adult ICU patients who require clinically indicated transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). During TEE the true probe position in the lower third of the esophagus will be confirmed and multiple external anatomical measurements will be recorded. Landmark-based predicted insertion depths will be compared to TEE-confirmed placement using Bland–Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficients. The goal is to identify simple, reproducible external measurements that predict correct probe depth for reliable core temperature monitoring.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult (≥18 years) ICU patients who have a clinical indication for transesophageal echocardiography.
Not a fit: Patients not undergoing TEE, children under 18, or those with significant neck or esophageal anatomical alterations are unlikely to benefit from the landmark guidance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians could use easy external landmarks to place esophageal temperature probes more reliably, improving the accuracy of core temperature monitoring.
How similar studies have performed: Previous methods based on fixed insertion depths or patient height have shown limited accuracy, so this landmark-based approach is relatively novel though related to existing strategies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult (≥18 years) patients admitted to the ICU * Clinical indication to perform a transesophageal echocardiography Exclusion Criteria: * \<18 years
Where this trial is running
Merano, BZ
- F. Tappeiner Hospital — Merano, Bz, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Simon Rauch, MD, PhD — Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige
- Study coordinator: Simon Rauch, MD, PhD
- Email: simon.rauch@sabes.it
- Phone: +393404967398
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.