Role of real-time three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography for guiding transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a relatively common congenitalcondition which has been implicated in cryptogenic stroke asa result of paradoxical thromboembolism by right-to-left shunting.Many studies have demonstrated that transcatheter PFO closuresignificantly reduced the incidence of recurrent strokes ina small group of high-risk patients with PFO and atrial septalaneurysm compared with antithrombotic drugs. Two-dimensionaltransoesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE) has become the electiontechnique for guiding patent foramen ovale closure. Real-timeThree-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE)may be potentially superior to 2D TEE in the accurate assessmentof the morphology and efficacy of transcatheter closure devicesbecause of a better spacial orientation.