Safety of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patients with Prior Chest or Neck Irradiation. A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Abstract Aims: Prior chest and neck irradiation are considered relative contraindications to transesophageal echocardiography. The foundation of such a warning is theoretical and, at best anecdotal. We intended to retrospectively examine the safety of transesophageal echocardiography in this cohort.Methods and results: Utilizing the relevant International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code s, patients older than 18 years old with prior chest or neck irradiation therapy who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at our institution in the period between 2004-2020 were identified and considered for inclusion. 31 patients, who underwent a total of 49 TEE studies, were included in the final analysis. In a 30 day follow up period following the index TEE, no significant complications occurred in any of the patients. Conclusions: In this small cohort of patients with prior chest or neck irradiation therapy, transesophageal echocardiography was carried out safely and successfully.