Intramural atrial hematoma complicating transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac arrest

Abstract

Background: Adequate strategies using either transthoracic (TTE) or transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography in patients receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an ongoing area of research.

Objectives: As transthoracic point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) during cardiac arrest resuscitation might result in an increased duration of interruptions in the delivery of chest compressions; the use of TEE has been proposed as an alternative.

Methods: No technical complications of either TTE nor TEE are so far being reported in the literature.

Results: We report the case of a left intramural atrial hematoma complicating TEE procedure during cardiac arrest. This highlights a unique and to our knowledge, first-in-man, described complicating TEE procedure during CPR.

Conclusions: Further research on the safety of transesophageal echo during CRP is mandatory and the question about any potential harm of particular interest.

Keywords: Acute cardiac care; Cardiac arrest; Left atrial hematoma; POCUS; Transeosophageal echocardiography.