Intramural atrial hematoma complicating transesophageal echocardiography during cardiac arrest

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.