Detection of patent foramen ovale by transcranial Doppler and carotid duplex ultrasonography: a comparison with transoesophageal echocardiography

Patients who have suffered a transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke are examined thoroughly to determine the aetiology of the cerebrovascular incident. An examination of the carotid arteries is compulsory to detect significant stenosis. In some patients, cardiogenic sources of emboli may be suspected. This study examined the possibilities of screening for patent foramen ovale (PFO) using i.v. injection of a microbubble solution with Doppler monitoring of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) served as the gold standard. Twenty-three patients with a recent episode of cerebral ischaemia were examined: 12 patients with and 11 without PFO documented by TEE. After i.v. injection, microbubbles were monitored visually in the right and left atria and using Doppler sonography in the right ICA and in the right MCA. In the group with a PFO (n = 12), microbubbles were detected in the ICA in seven patients (7 of 12) and in the MCA in 10 patients (10 of 10). In the group without a PFO, microbubbles were detected in the ICA in one patient and in the MCA in two. This corresponds to a sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of 58% and 91% for the ICA/duplex technique and 100% and 82% for the MCA/transcranial Doppler technique. From this limited sample, it is shown that transcranial Doppler monitoring of the middle cerebral artery, but not ultrasound duplex monitoring of the internal carotid artery, can be used as screening for patent foramen ovale.     

右心声学造影检查对卵圆孔未闭导致偏头痛的诊断价值

目的 探讨右心声学造影检查对卵圆孔未闭导致偏头痛的诊断价值。方法 选取2018年5月至2020年8月我院收治的120例不明原因偏头痛患者作为研究对象,所有患者实施经颅多普勒超声检查、右心声学造影检查。以数字减影血管造影（DSA）检查结果为参照,比较经颅多普勒超声检查与右心声学造影检查对卵圆孔未闭的诊断效能及对卵圆孔未闭量化分级的诊断符合率。结果 参照DSA检查结果,右心声学造影检查诊断卵圆孔未闭的灵敏度、特异度、准确度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值均高于经颅多普勒超声检查（P<0.05）。经颅多普勒超声检查诊断卵圆孔未闭的结果与DSA检查结果之间具有中度一致性,而右心声学造影检查结果与DSA检查结果之间具有高度一致性。右心声学造影检查对卵圆孔未闭Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ级的诊断符合率均高于经颅多普勒超声检查（P<0.05）。结论 右心声学造影检查可更为灵敏、准确地检出卵圆孔未闭,在卵圆孔未闭所致偏头痛患者中具有良好的诊断价值。     

经胸和经食管超声心动图诊断卵圆孔未闭的对比研究

目的 对比研究经胸超声心动图TTE和经食管超声心动图TEE对卵圆孔未闭(patent foramen ovale，PFO)的诊断方法和诊断价值，及对卵圆孔未闭的临床意义。方法 运用经胸及经食管超声心动图检查，诊断卵圆孔未闭24例，根据患者有无合并其他心脏疾患及合并的心脏疾患的血流动力学特点将患者分为卵圆孔未闭组及卵圆孔开放组。结果 经胸超声心动图通过CDFI观察房水平的穿隔血流对卵圆孔未闭的诊断准确率为58．3％。经食管超声心动图检查能对所有患者做出正确诊断。卵圆孔未闭组可见卵圆孔瓣上缘与继发隔之间裂缝，CDFI显示源于卵圆孔瓣与继发隔交界边缘处的穿隔血流；卵圆孔开放组可见卵圆孔瓣上缘与继发隔之间出现回声缺失，但卵圆孔瓣尚完整，CDFI于缺口处探及垂直于房间隔的穿隔分流束。结论 经食管超声心动图是目前卵圆孔未闭诊断金标准的首选方法。卵圆孔未闭可导致反常栓塞，应予以积极治疗。     

Right-to-left interatrial shunt in ARDS: dramatic improvement in prone position

The mechanisms leading to shunting through a patent foramen ovale include high right-sided cardiac pressures and respiratory factors due to mechanical ventilation and also anatomical changes in the right atrium as described in the platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome. We report a patient with the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who had a right-to-left atrial shunt which decreased in the prone position, after which oxygenation improved. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit because of ARDS due to an invasive fungal infection. He had a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and paradoxical embolisms through a patent foramen ovale. Despite mechanical ventilation and antifungal treatment he developed severe ARDS. He was therefore turned to the prone position. Blood gas values improved dramatically (arterial oxygen tension/fractional inspired oxygen ratio increasing from 59 to 278 torr). Transcranial Doppler sonography was performed with bubble study, which confirmed a massive right-to-left shunt in the supine position and which instantaneously decreased in the prone position. This case suggests that a decrease in right-to-left shunt in patients who have a patent foramen ovale could partly explain the improvement in hypoxemia in the prone position. Received: 14 September 1998 Accepted: 3 February 1999     

High prevalence of patent foramen ovale in migraine with aura

In this study we evaluated the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a cohort of 25 consecutive patients suffering from migraine with aura (MA) during an attack presenting to the emergency ward of an Italian hospital. Patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast medium, routine coagulation tests, contrast transcranial echocolour–coded sonography (c–TCCS) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Of the enrolled patients, 88.7% showed a PFO according to the c–TCCS test, whereas only in 72% TEE confirmed the presence of PFO. This discordance could be due to the fact that c–TCCS is more sensitive even with shunts with minimal capacity also located in the pulmonary vasculature. After surgical treatment of the PFO, MA disappeared within two months. Also, the treatment with warfarin as well as with acetylsalicylic acid and flunarizine was able to dramatically reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. These data indicate a higher prevalence of PFO in MA vs. normal population (OR=2.92) and could suggest that the presence of arteriovenous (AV) shunts could represent a trigger for MA attacks as well as for stroke, but more studies are needed to confirm this preliminary hypothesis.     

Prevalence of patent foramen ovale in migraine patients with and without aura compared with stroke patients. A transcranial Doppler study

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a consecutive unselected cohort of migraine patients (with and without aura) and compare it with a group of ischaemic young and elderly stroke patients. One hundred and forty-one migraine patients were compared with 330 stroke patients (130 young patients; 200 elderly patients) selected from our hospital stroke data bank. PFO was assessed with transcranial Doppler sonography with i.v. injection of agitated saline. The prevalence of PFO was 51.7% in migraine with aura (MA) patients, 33.7% in migraine without aura (MoA) patients, 33.8% in young stroke patients and 20.5% in elderly stroke patients (P < 0.001). The prevalence of PFO in cryptogenic stroke in young and elderly stroke patients was, respectively, 41.1% and 25% (P = 0.04). The difference between MA and MoA patients was significant (odds ratio = 2.1). The prevalence of PFO in MA patients is higher than in MoA patients and in young cryptogenic stroke patients.     

Right-to-left shunt assessed by contrast transcranial Doppler sonography: new insights.

OBJECTIVE: Simple diagnostic techniques such as contrast transcranial Doppler sonography (cTCDS) are popular for assessing a right-to-left shunt (RLS) because of their high sensitivity. In this study, we applied cTCDS to a large patient group with a patent foramen ovale, proved by contrast transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). METHODS: One hundred one patients with stroke, in whom a patent RLS had been shown on contrast TEE, were investigated by TCDS of both middle cerebral arteries. Injection of 10 mL of agitated saline was applied without and subsequently with the Valsalva maneuver (VM) at the beginning of the contrast agent injection, and then 10 mL of a galactose-based contrast agent was applied in the same protocol. RESULTS: In all patients, cTCDS with the galactose contrast agent showed an RLS when performed with VM, but it showed an RLS in only 59 patients without VM. In contrast, saline showed an RLS in 54 patients with VM and in 20 patients without VM. The differences in diagnostic sensitivity were statistically significant (P < .001). Eighteen patients had only 1 microembolic signal (MES) after galactose injection, whereas others had more. The mean (SD) arrival times of the MES were 9 (6) seconds (range, 1-51 seconds) after galactose injection with VM and 9 (3) seconds (range, 2-20 seconds) after agitated saline with VM. The differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast TCDS with VM shows a TEE-proven RLS with 100% sensitivity, but this was not true with galactose application without VM or agitated saline with or without VM. Therefore, use of the galactose contrast agent with VM is strongly recommended for detecting an RLS on TCDS. However, the arrival time and number of MESs detected need to be tested further.     

Vascular air embolism during percutaneous nephrolithotomy without pneumopyelogram: a case report of successful rescue

Vascular air embolism (VAE) is a rare complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Paradoxical air embolization resulting from VAE may be more likely to occur in patients with an atrial-septal defect, such as patent foramen ovale. Here, the case of a female patient with VAE that occurred during percutaneous nephrolithotomy is presented. Although the patient was diagnosed with patent foramen ovale, she recovered well without any severe paradoxical air embolization symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of VAE with paradoxical air embolization that occurred in a patient with patent foramen ovale during percutaneous nephrolithotomy that was conducted without pneumopyelography.     

彩色多普勒超声对慢性缺氧缺血性肺原性心脏病患者卵圆孔状况的评价

本文应用美国HPSONOS-100CF彩色多普勒超声心动图诊断仪对268例慢性肺心病患者进行了检查，发现以支气管哮喘为病因者及以慢性支气管炎为病国者分别有36．8％和24％的患者存在卵圆孔开放，卵圆孔直径为4．6～5．1mm，跨房间隔血流主要发生于R波后0．12s内，开放原因与肺动脉高压有关，认为此类患者的临床治疗应使用血管扩张剂以降低肺动脉压减少右向左分流。     

Patent foramen ovale

Patent foramen ovale is incriminated in patients with cryptogenic stroke; however, concrete evidence that closure of patent foramen ovale using various devices is superior to continued medical therapy is not yet available. Controlled randomized trials are well underway to address this issue.     

经颅多普勒超声诊断脑梗死患者卵圆孔未闭的价值

目的探讨经颅多普勒超声微泡实验对脑梗死患者卵圆孔未闭(PFO)的诊断价值。方法运用经颅多普勒超声微泡实验对经食管超声心动图诊断的28例缺血性脑卒中患者进行PFO检测,分析不同卵圆孔特点下经颅多普勒超声微泡实验对PFO诊断检出率的变化。结果 28例患者中,经颅多普勒超声微泡实验在平静呼吸状态下对PFO检出20例(71.43%),配合Valsalva动作后检出24例(85.71%)。卵圆孔大小及开放状态与PFO的检出率无关(P>0.05)。结论经颅多普勒超声微泡实验对脑梗死患者的PFO的诊断具有较高敏感性,配合Valsalva动作可以提高诊断敏感性,可以作为PFO的筛查手段。     

Clinical manifestation and current management of patent foramen ovale

There is increasing interest in the evaluation and treatment of patent foramen ovale, which has been associated with various pathologic conditions, such as cryptogenic stroke, platypnea–orthodeoxia syndrome and migraine. However, optimal treatment of patients with patent foramen ovale has not been established. This article aims to review the clinical manifestation and current therapeutic options for patent foramen ovale.     

中青年隐源性DWI阴性急性缺血性脑卒中合并卵圆孔未闭两例

该文报道2例中青年隐源性弥散加权成像(DWI)阴性急性缺血性脑卒中合并卵圆孔未闭男性患者,均为38岁,急性起病,以轻度神经功能缺损症状就诊,既往无脑血管病危险因素,以左侧肢体功能障碍为主要表现,DWI均阴性,经颅多普勒超声发泡检查和经食管心脏彩色多普勒超声检查发现卵圆孔未闭,其后均接受抗血小板、调脂等治疗,好转出院后随访显示2例均接受了卵圆孔未闭封堵治疗,均痊愈。应通过该2例的诊治过程提高对局灶性神经功能缺损合并卵圆孔未闭的认识,当患者出现局灶性神经功能缺损,即使DWI阴性亦不能排除急性缺血性脑卒中,应积极进行危险因素筛查,尤其是在中青年隐源性患者中,应高度重视卵圆孔未闭的检测及治疗,减少卵圆孔未闭所致的脑卒中及卒中复发。     

孕中晚期卵圆孔瓣宫内闭合与脐带扭转的相关性研究

目的卵圆孔瓣宫内闭合是妊娠中晚期胎儿出现右心扩大、缺氧、胎儿水肿,甚至宫内死亡的重要原因之一。应用胎儿超声检查观察孕中晚期卵圆孔瓣闭合与脐带扭转之间的关系。方法 8例中晚期胎儿经超声检查发现胎儿心脏卵圆孔瓣宫内闭合。常规检测胎儿心脏结构,除外结构性心脏发育异常,检测胎儿心脏左、右心比例、卵圆孔径、由于卵圆孔瓣部分闭合剩余交通口径,卵圆孔过隔血流速度,静脉导管阻力指数,动脉导管血流速度。对胎儿进行常规生物学指标检测,重点观察胎儿脐带,计算脐带扭转指数。与出生后脐带状况对照。结果卵圆孔瓣宫内闭合的8例胎儿,右心与左心比例增大,卵圆孔瓣闭合呈瘤样膨隆,剩余交通口径明显减小,卵圆孔血流速度未见明显增快。静脉导管阻力指数轻度增高。部分胎儿动脉导管血流速度增加。脐静脉扭转指数均增加。其中顺产2例,剖宫产6例。出生后发现脐带扭转3例,脐带打真结1例,脐带绕颈极紧1例,球拍状胎盘1例。出生后脐带阳性表现占本研究病例75%。结论脐带宫内异常特别是扭转或打结以及其他因素致通过卵圆孔血流量减少,可能是孕中晚期胎儿卵圆孔瓣宫内闭合的重要原因,是胎死宫内的危险因素。     

Premature Closure or Restriction of the Foramen Ovale

Premature closure or restriction of the foramen ovale may occur at any time during pregnancy and may be due to various causes. We describe 2 patients with premature closure or restriction of the foramen ovale during the third trimester. In both patients the foramen ovale was detected by directional enhanced flow imaging technology (DeFLOW; Hitachi‐Aloka Medical, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan), a novel method of imaging blood flow dynamics. Our findings indicate that D‐eFLOW can display blood flow information with higher sensitivity and resolution than conventional methods, helping obstetricians and pregnant women make timely decisions about delivery.     

Relationship between migraine and patent foramen ovale: a study of 121 patients with migraine

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a common neurological disorder, the origins of which remain unknown. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is considered to have a role in migraine. The relationship between migraine and patent foramen ovale may be stronger in patients suffering from migraine with aura compared to patients with common migraine. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of PFO in patients with migraine with aura (MA+) and compare it with the prevalence of PFO in migraine patients without aura (MA-), and in a healthy age-matched control group. We investigated PFO association with migraine, considering such factors as: A type of migraine aura, frequency of attacks, familial occurrence, sex and age of patients. Patients.-121 patients: 61 patients suffering from migraine with aura, 60 without aura and 65 normal controls. The group of patients with migraine with aura was divided into subgroups regarding to the type of aura. METHODS: In order to detect PFO the contrast transcranial Doppler was performed during Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: The presence of PFO was found in 33/61 (54%) patients with MA(+) compared to 15/60 (25%) without aura and 16/65 (25%) control subjects. The difference between MA(+) patients and MA(-) patients and the difference between MA(+) patients and control group was statistically significant (P < .05). There was no association between type of migraine aura and PFO, as well as we found no association between PFO and frequency of attacks, familial occurrence, sex and age of patients and PFO. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest possible association of migraine with aura and PFO. It seems that PFO does not influence the type of aura and frequency of attacks of migraine as well as it is not associated with familial occurrence of migraine.     

Transient Sulcal Hyperintensities on Fluid‐Attenuated Inversion Recovery in Migraine With Aura

Migraine has been found to be associated with patent foramen ovale. However, in practice, it is difficult to show that microemboli via patent foramen ovale can induce a migraine attack. Our patient showed transient sulcal hyperintensities on fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery images during a migraine attack. This supports the hypothesis that microemboli via right‐to‐left shunt may induce migraine attacks through transient occlusion of microcirculation.     

A Complication of Pacemaker Lead Extraction: Paradoxical Embolism of a Lead Fragment in a Leg Artery

Extraction of three chronically implanted pacemaker leads was performed via the implant vein in a 71-year-old man. One of the leads broke in the subclavian scar tissue. The lead fragment migrated into the left peroneotibial trunk artery. Transesophageal echocardiography showed patent foramen ovale associated with right-to-left atrial shunt. This complication of lead extraction is discussed along with the role of echocardiography prior to lead removal.     

Valsalva maneuver as migraine inducer: a case report of a woman with patent foramen ovale and an ischemic stroke

The association between patent foramen ovale, ischemic stroke, and migraine with aura is well known. It is, however, complicated and generates a considerable debate about the features and clinical consequences of the phenomenon. We report a case of a woman for whom patent foramen ovale has possibly acted as an inducer of both migraine attacks and ischemic stroke.     

Transcatheter closure for decompression sickness with a patent foramen ovale: A case report

A patent foramen ovale is one of the predisposing factors of neurotic decompression sickness. Transcatheter closure of a patent foramen ovale is effective in the secondary prevention of decompression sickness associated with intracardiac shunt. The size of the umbrella should not be limited to the diagnosis of a patent foramen ovale or an atrial septal defect but should be determined by the supporting force of the soft margin of the atrial septum. The surgical method of patent foramen ovale closure is the same as that of the closure of an atrial septal defect, but the closure umbrella of a patent foramen ovale is different from that of the closure umbrella of an atrial septal defect. The size of the umbrella of the right atrium is larger than that of the left atrium, and it is better to close the atrial septum.