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Clinical and echocardiographic diagnoses disagree in patients with unexplained hemodynamic instability after cardiac surgery

[Des diagnostics cliniques et échocardiographiques contradictoires dans des cas d'instabilité hémodynamique inexpliquée à la suite d'une intervention en cardiochirurgie]

Pamela J. Wake, BM BS FRCA^*, Mohamed Ali, MD FRCPC^*, Jo Carroll, RN^*, Samuel C. Siu, MD SM FRCPC and Davy C.H. Cheng, MD MSc FRCPC^*

^* From the Department of Cardiac Anesthesia & Intensive Care, and the
Division of Cardiology, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Pamela Wake, Department of Anesthesia Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, Eaton North 3–417, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada. Phone: 416- 340-4800 ext. 6198; Fax: 416-340-3698; E-mail: pamwake{at}hotmail.com

Purpose: To investigate 1) if clinical indications match diagnostic findings from urgent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in hemodynamically unstable patients after cardiac surgery and 2) the clinical impact of the TEE findings.

Methods: Retrospective review of all postcardiac surgical intensive care patients who received an urgent TEE over a three- year period from July 1^st 1997 until June 30^th 2000. The clinician's presumed diagnosis based on hemodynamic and clinical evaluation was compared to TEE diagnosis. Surgical and medical interventions based on TEE results and the associated mortality were correlated.

Results: A hundred and thirty TEEs were performed for hemodynamic instability or suspected intracardiac vegetation or thrombus, all category I indications according to ASA guidelines. In 41.5% of patients the echocardiographic finding matched the presumed diagnosis. Patient management was significantly changed as a result of TEE findings in 58.5% of patients; 43.3% had changes in pharmacological therapy and 15.3% had a surgical intervention. Mortality was significantly lower in those who received a surgical intervention when compared to those who had changes in drug treatment (P <0.05).

Conclusions: The results of urgent TEE in hemodynamically unstable patients or patients with thromboembolic phenomena in the postcardiac surgical intensive care unit are unpredictable in over half of cases. Inappropriate management decisions may result without the information obtained from TEE examination. Clinical management is often modified as a result of TEE findings. TEE is essential in the management of hemodynamically unstable postcardiac surgical patients.

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