What is echocardiogram with bubbles

Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. A bubble study is a noninvasive test that allows physicians to assess the flow of blood through the heart. A bubble study is often performed when a patent foramen ovale PFO is suspected. A bubble study takes advantage of the fact that when sound waves encounter different types of physical media — in this case, gas vs.

In a typical bubble study, a saline solution is shaken vigorously to produce tiny bubbles and is then injected into a vein. If the heart is functioning normally, the bubbles will be seen entering the right atrium, then the right ventricle, then out the pulmonary artery and into the lungs, where they are filtered out of the circulation.

However, if the bubbles are seen to enter the left side of the heart, this indicates that there is an abnormal opening between the two sides of the heart—a so-called intracardiac shunt. An intracardiac shunt can be produced, for instance, by a PFO, an atrial septal defect , or a ventricular septal defect.

These new agents usually are comprised of tiny protein or phospholipid casings which enclose a gas. These new agents appear to be safe inmost cases and can provide better echo imaging in some cases. However, they are substantially more expensive than a shaken saline solution. The most common reason for performing a bubble study is to look for a PFO.

In these studies, while the bubbles are being injected into the vein, the patient is asked to perform a Valsalva maneuver that is, bearing down as if having a bowel movement. The Valsalva maneuver transiently raises the pressures in the right side of the heart, so that if a PFO is present, the bubbles can often be seen entering the left atrium.

Bubbles appearing in the left atrium during the test confirm the presence of a PFO. In a quarter of people it stays open and can intermittently allow blood flow to pass from the right atrium to the left atrium. Pictures are taken of the heart in the same way a normal echocardiogram is performed. A small thin plastic tube a cannula will be inserted into a vein in your arm. A small amount of sterile salty water saline will be mixed with a small amount of your own blood and then injected into the vein in your arm.

These are used to monitor your heart rhythm during the test. The lighting in the room will be lowered to assist viewing of your images. You will lay on your back for part of the scan and may be asked to cough at certain times.

During the scan, you will occasionally hear noises as blood flow is measured. The scan usually takes about 30 minutes. Once completed the gel is wiped off the chest and you can then get dressed. The physiologist will complete the analysis and report the echo study after you have left. If you are seeing your cardiologist immediately after the scan, the report will be ready for your appointment.

Contact Us. Our Brochure. Book Online. Information enquiries peninsulaheartclinic. There is no special preparation for an echo and there are no after effects.