Detection of a persistent foramen ovale using echocardiography

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Diving Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Right-to-left shunts are linked to decompression illness in divers and other health issues.
• Accurate detection and characterization of these shunts are crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline preferred techniques for transthoracic echocardiography in detecting right-to-left shunts.
• To emphasize the safety, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness of the bubble contrast method.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes transthoracic echocardiography with intravenous injection of bubble contrast.
• Employs a well-tested protocol performed by trained personnel.

Main Results:

• The technique allows for safe, simple, rapid, and inexpensive detection of right-to-left shunts.
• It enables accurate assessment of shunt size and differentiation between atrial and pulmonary shunts.

Conclusions:

• Transthoracic echocardiography with bubble contrast is a highly effective method for evaluating right-to-left shunts.
• This approach aids in diagnosing and managing conditions associated with shunting, including decompression illness.