JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

A critical review of patent foramen ovale detection using saline contrast echocardiography: when bubbles lie.

Saline and indocyanine green dye were the first agents noted to produce a contrast effect when injected peripherally during M-mode echocardiographic imaging, although it was subsequently found that almost any type of injected solution would have this effect. These first-generation contrast agents were limited to opacification of right heart structures, and they prompted subsequent development of agents that traverse pulmonary circulation. Although opacification limited to right heart structures is considered a limitation of these first-generation agents, this is an advantage when attempting to identify the presence of right-to-left shunt. First-generation air contrast is considered the gold standard for identification of patent foramen ovale (PFO). However, PFO investigators have used varying criteria to define abnormal contrast studies. There are also multiple mechanisms by which saline contrast studies may produce both false-positive and false-negative results for presence of PFO. There is mounting experimental evidence that PFO is associated with cerebral ischemia and migraine headache, with a resulting evolution of devices for percutaneous closure of these shunts. Echocardiographic physicians must be aware of potential pitfalls of the air contrast technique to avoid exposing patients to unnecessary risk of closure devices, and missing the potential benefit of shunt closure in appropriately selected patients.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app