Shooting Bubbles during TEE

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi everyone, I am a relatively new nurse in the CVICU of a major metropolitan area hospital.

My patient had a TEE done in order to detect if MR was present. The cardiologist asked be to work up bubbles between two syringes and shoot them through the PICC line. I guess he wanted to see the micro bubbles going through the heart to detect some anomoly. I wanted to know what exactly he was looking for, and what this test would would proof? Just curiosity.

Thanks

Frankie

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I had a TEE done to see if I had a defect. The bubble went from the right atrium to the left atrium. A clot could do the same thing. I don't know if this is the only reason it is done.

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Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

http://www.doctorslounge.com/cardiology/forums/backup/topic-351.html

Here's a pretty basic description of the bubble test, and what it's used for.

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I assist with TEEs all the time in my dept. Bubble studies are used to identify if a patient has a PFO (patent foramen ovale)--in which there is communication between the right and left atrium. Clots can originate in that area, so pts who have had recent TIAs/CVAs often have bubble studies performed during their TEEs to r/o a cardiac origin for clots. PFOs are a normal variant in about 25% of the population.

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Specializes in CCU/CVU/ICU.
I assist with TEEs all the time in my dept. Bubble studies are used to identify if a patient has a PFO (patent foramen ovale)--in which there is communication between the right and left atrium. Clots can originate in that area, so pts who have had recent TIAs/CVAs often have bubble studies performed during their TEEs to r/o a cardiac origin for clots. PFOs are a normal variant in about 25% of the population.

25% of the population? Great. I'm doomed. :cheers:

I've done the bubble-study in a handlful of TEE's and got to see a very clear 'positive' bubble-test...very cool because it's easy to see.

I've also given IV meds to patients undergoing TEE (and Trans-thoracic) echos and 'accidentally' done a tiny bit of a bubble study :)

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