Atrial septal defect transcranial doppler ultrasound

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Trans-Cranial Doppler (TCD) Ultrasound

This is a less invasive protocol for finding PFO or other ASDs, involves highly-sensitive versions of Trans-Cranial Doppler, or "through the head" doppler ultrasound devices. There is debate as to whether this protocol is the Gold Standard for Finding PFO and also testing for successful closure of PFO after closure procedures. The protocol has been adopted as the testing standard in clinical trials of PFO closure devices and other investigations of the relationship between PFO-stroke-migraine. This protocol requires no sedation and besides a simple intravenous injection of saline. It is otherwise entirely non-invasive and can be administered by clinicians trained in the protocol and using the appropriately sensitive TCD technology, in well under one hour. At least one clinical study has shown this protocol with the appropriate TCD technology, to be highly accurate in comparison to other current standards of care for finding PFO. It is also dramatically less expensive than other tests for PFO.