Survey of observer variation in transesophageal echocardiography: comparison of anesthesiology and cardiology literature

摘要: Abstract Objective: Transesophageal echocardiographic examination tends to be somewhat observer and experience dependent, bias can arise easily when data are calculated interpreted by unskilled, nonblinded, or single observers. The study plan was see whether authors have adequately described how is minimized in their studies. Thus, a conducted systematically reviewing methods reported transesophageal echocardio graphy articles peer-reviewed anesthesiology journals versus those cardiology journals. Interventions: After MEDLINE searches of the literature published from 1997 through 1999, investigated 56 reports randomly selected, year-matched reports. An 8-item questionnaire developed that examined several factors: number observers levels, were blind clinical data, low-quality images excluded, use on-line off-line analysis, variability. Main results: analysis revealed inadequacies reporting important information relates quality 91.1% 98.2% articles. Observer variability not 50.0% 67.9% reports; however, difference between 2 bodies significant. journal impact factor significantly higher for than (2.42 [0.386–10.893] v 1.07 [0.664–3.439]; median [range], p Conclusion: Articles reviewed had at least some minimize both literature. Reporting methodology standards TEE examinations remain established.