Ie elite ultrasound machine

The cTTE was performed with the Philips iE Elite Ultrasound machine using a X5‐1 probe. Two 10‐ml syringes were prepared in advance for the purpose of obtaining activated saline (a mixture of 9 ml saline and 1 ml air). All patients were required to perform the Valsalva maneuver (VM) before the beginning of the test. If effective, the atrial septal protrusion can be observed in the left atrium after exhalation. Since the appearance of MB by ultrasound is intuitive and clear, a PFO was diagnosed once any MB was discovered in the left atrium within three cycles after the contrast had appeared in the right atrium.

The primary endpoint of this study was defined as occurring RV dysfunction within 24 h of admission by an echocardiography by an IE Elite ultrasound machine (Philips) equipped with an transducer (frequency conversion 1–5 MHz). Occurrence of anyone or more appearances was defined as RV dysfunction: RV diameter > 30 mm from 4-chamber or parasternal view. At end-systole. RV/LV 4-chamber diameter ratio > 0.9 RV hypokinesia occurred at free wall. The jet of tricuspid regurgitation’s velocity increased at apical 4-chamber view [15 (link), 16 (link)]. All echocardiographic procedures were performed by ultrasound specialists as the same standard.

Transesophageal echocardiography was performed with a Philips iE Elite Ultrasound machine using a X7‐2t multiplane transesophageal probe. All patients were fasted and local pharyngeal anesthesia was achieved with the administration of adequate amounts of 0.02% oral lidocaine before the TEE examination. The area of the atrial septum where the foramen ovale located was analyzed from various angles to find the appearance of the left‐to‐right shunts (LRSs). The width of gap between the atrial septum and PFO valve was recorded.