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Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Transthoracic Echocardiography in Mice
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Published on: May 28, 2010

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Bubbles in the Brain: A Rare Complication Following Transthoracic Echocardiography

Andrew Y Powers1, Vijairam Selvaraj2

  • 1medical student at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.

Rhode Island Medical Journal (2013)
|August 3, 2018
PubMed

Insights

A routine echocardiogram bubble study caused a stroke in an 89-year-old woman. This case highlights the rare but serious risk of cerebral air embolism during this common diagnostic procedure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death in the US, with nearly 30% originating from embolism.
  • Echocardiography is crucial for diagnosing, preventing, and treating cardiac sources of embolism.
  • Contrast-enhanced echocardiography uses microbubbles to visualize shunting, commonly called a "bubble study."

Keywords:
bubble studyechocardiographyembolismischemic strokestroke

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