Safety of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patients with Thrombocytopenia

According to current literature and guidelines, thrombocytopenia is considered a relative contraindication for performing transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). In cancer patients, thrombocytopenia is frequently present. No prior studies have assessed the safety and complications of TEE in a thrombocytopenic population.

From January 2002 to December 2017, all patients who underwent TEE at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the nonoperative setting were included in the study. Patient characteristics, laboratory data, indications, and complications of TEE were obtained from medical records. Thrombocytopenia was defined as platelet count <100,000/μL prior to procedure. In this retrospective study, medical records were reviewed up to 30 days after procedure to search for possible complications related to TEE.

During the study period, 2,345 TEE studies were performed. The mean age was 58.2 ± 15.3 years and 58.8% of patients were male. Thrombocytopenia was found in 814 patients (34.7%). More thrombocytopenic patients had hematologic malignancy, when compared with patients with normal platelet level (79.7% vs 30.2%; P < .001). The most common indication for TEE study was to evaluate for suspected endocarditis (48.0%) and was found more frequently in thrombocytopenic patients compared with those with normal platelet count (69.5% vs 36.5%; P < .001). Overall, 10 patients (0.4%) had complications related to TEE: eight minor oropharyngeal bleeding that did not require transfusion, one transient atrial fibrillation, and one esophageal perforation. There was no major bleeding, respiratory failure, or death related to TEE examination during the study period. Minor oropharyngeal bleeding was the only complication seen in thrombocytopenic patients (seven patients, 0.3%).

Thrombocytopenia is common in cancer patients undergoing TEE. TEE-related complications are minimal in patients with both normal or low platelet count. With appropriate patient preparation and careful probe manipulation, TEE can be safely performed in thrombocytopenic patients.