title: Spectral Doppler interrogation of the patent foramen ovale-a window to left heart hemodynamics.
abstract: Spectral Doppler interrogation of flow across a patent foramen ovale (PFO) allows recording of the instantaneous pressure gradient between left and right atrium (RA). The assessment of RA pressure using the size and collapsibility of the inferior vena cava would thus allow estimation of left atrial (LA) pressure. In this article, we illustrate the value of spectral Doppler interrogation of flow across the PFO by transthoracic echocardiography as a novel and simple tool for the assessment of LA pressure and left cardiac hemodynamics in addition to the conventional noninvasive parameters.
authors.affiliation: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Bahaa M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Fadel
authors.forename: Aysha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: Hatem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bakarman
authors.forename: Ziad
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dahdouh
authors.forename: Giovanni Di
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Salvo
authors.forename: Dania
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mohty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged