Comparison of transthoracic echocardiography using second harmonic imaging, transcranial Doppler and transesophageal echocardiography for the detection of patent foramen ovale in stroke patients

Abstract

This study confirms that transesophageal echocardiography has limitations in the diagnosis of patent foramen ovale. In this study, the negative predictive value of transcranial Doppler was excellent. Therefore, this examination is able to exclude a patent foramen ovale with a high level of confidence.