Heart surgery study questions routine use of ultrasound probe
NCT ID NCT06154265
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether using a heart ultrasound probe (TEE) during low-risk coronary artery bypass surgery should be done routinely or only when needed. Researchers enrolled 40 patients and checked if it was possible to randomly assign them to one of two groups. The goal is to better understand when TEE is helpful and when it might be unnecessary.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) ultrasound probe
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help guide when TEE is truly needed during heart bypass surgery, potentially reducing unnecessary procedures and risks.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early feasibility study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to all patients or settings. It does not test a new treatment or cure.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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40 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2024
- Finished
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Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 100 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Scheduled to undergo isolated CABG surgery at a hospital within the UPenn Health System 2. Age ≥18 years 3. Ejection fraction ≥50% 4. Transthoracic echocardiography within one year of scheduled surgery date 5. Left heart catheterization within one year of scheduled surgery date 6. English language fluency or facilitated via language interpreter 7. Able to provide informed consent either in English or via a language interpreter 8. Willing to comply with all study procedures Exclusion Criteria: 1. Documented valve (aortic, mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonic) disease (stenosis or regurgitation) moderate or greater. 2. Any CABG surgery with either "possible" or "definite" aortic intervention listed as a planned part of the procedure. plan for either definite or possible surgical intervention. 3. Any CABG surgery with either "possible" or "definite" valve repair/replacement listed as a planned part of the procedure. 4. Having undergone any previous cardiac surgeries (i.e. scheduled with a "REDO" modifier). 5. Proximal/critical left main coronary disease (e.g. greater than or equal to 90% stenosis). 6. Preexisting anomalous coronary arteries 7. Preexisting end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis 8. Preexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3, 4, or 5 9. Stroke with residual focal neurological deficit(s) within 90 days of surgery 10. Any of the following presurgical, mechanical circulatory support devices: 1. Intraaortic balloon pump 2. Percutaneous right ventricular assist device (RVAD) 3. Impella 4. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) 11. Absolute contraindication to echocardiography defined as one or more of the following documented conditions: 1. Esophagectomy 2. Esophagogastrectomy 3. Esophageal trauma 12. Any of these three relative contraindication to TEE: 1. Esophageal varies 2. Gastric bypass surgery 3. Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm 13. Severe pulmonary hypertension defined as: 1. Pulmonary arterial pressure ≥60 mmHg 2. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) ≥3 Woods Units 14. Hemodynamic instability after induction and following placement of an endotracheal tube will be defined as one or more of the following events or scenarios: 1. Placement of an intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) 2. Initiation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VAECMO) 3. Placement of a right or left percutaneous mechanical circulatory support device 4. Initiation of epinephrine infusion at a dose ≥ 6 mcg/min for a duration ≥5 minutes 5. Initiation of norepinephrine at a dose ≥8 mcg/min for a duration ≥ minutes 6. Initiation of phenylephrine infusion at a dose ≥100 mcg/min for a duration ≥ minutes 7. Initiation of vasopressin infusion at a dose ≥0.04 units/min for a duration ≥ minutes
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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