Using transesophageal echocardiography to diagnose blunt traumatic aortic injury

Emergency Physician Performed Transesophageal Echocardiography To Diagnose Blunt Traumatic Aortic Injury

Observational Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun · NCT05226858

This study is testing if a special heart ultrasound done by emergency doctors can help quickly diagnose serious aortic injuries in patients with chest trauma.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment56 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorHospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun Government
Locations6 sites (Alor Star, Kedah and 5 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05226858 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This multicenter observational trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) performed by emergency physicians in diagnosing blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) in patients with chest trauma. All patients suspected of having BTAI will undergo TEE as part of their emergency care, with findings compared to computed tomography angiography (CTA), which serves as the reference standard. The study also assesses the hemodynamic status and cardiac function of patients through TEE, providing a comprehensive evaluation of their condition. Informed consent will be obtained from patients or their next of kin prior to the procedure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are trauma patients in the emergency department with suspected blunt traumatic aortic injury.

Not a fit: Patients under 18 years old or those with contraindications to transesophageal echocardiography, such as suspected esophageal injury, will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to faster and more accurate diagnosis of blunt traumatic aortic injuries, improving patient outcomes in emergency settings.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of TEE in trauma settings is established, this specific application for diagnosing BTAI is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

All trauma patients with suspected BTAI in the emergency department (ED) who undergo both TEE and CTA.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Children (age under 18 years) will not be eligible for inclusion in this study.
2. Patients with contraindication to TEE such as suspected esophageal injury or pathology

Where this trial is running

Alor Star, Kedah and 5 other locations

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 Trauma ChestTransesophageal echocardiographyAortaTraumaEmergency departmentBlunt Trauma
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.