Right-to-left shunt detection in patent foramen ovale: The value of synchronized contrast transcranial Doppler and contrast transthoracic echocardiography.

Abstract

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common congenital heart disorder associated with stroke, decompression sickness and migraine. Combining synchronized contrast transcranial Doppler with contrast transthoracic echocardiography has important clinical significance and can improve the accuracy of detecting right-left shunts (RLSs) in patients with PFO. In this letter, regarding an original study presented by Yao et al, we present our insights and discuss how to better help clinicians evaluate changes in PFO-related RLS.