During the past few weeks we have reviewed agitated saline ‘echo bubble studies’. Our guest writers Dr. Ali and Dr. Nossikoff have explained what an agitated saline “Echo Bubble study” is, along with indications, how to perform and interpret a bubble study, supplies needed and the safety of bubble studies. This week we will review 6 tips for improving the quality of an echo bubble study including the best echo window based on pathology.
If you missed our recent blogs on agitated saline ‘bubble studies’ check them out here:
By now you should know the basics to performing an echo bubble study. This week we would like to share some tips to improve image quality during an echo bubble study.
Get the best possible image by:
Use very long loop acquisition of up to 20 cycles, starting before the Valsalva release and/or agitated saline entering RA.
Use multiple imaging views with apical 4 chamber and subcostal 4 chamber if A4C was not so good. The distal shadowing with higher contrast concentrations can obscure the left cavities in subcostal view, hence most operators prefer A4C view. Parasternal views (both long and short axis) can be used as well.
The saline should be agitated vigorously before injection to create properly sized bubbles, pushing the last 2 mls left in a forceful manner to the other syringe and then instantly injecting is of paramount importance. Consider adding blood and gelofusine to have better quality of opacification.
Rapid and forceful injection of the agitated saline after vigorous agitation create dense and clear micro-bubbles. Raising the patient’s arm with the cannula and/or squeezing the forearm immediately after the injection do improve the micro-bubbles motion toward right atrium.
A very simple safety tip for diminishing the amount of air entering the circulation can be used when performing agitated saline injections – bend the syringe tip down and the plunger up during injection (this is particularly easy when using extension tube), this way the air will stay up near the plunger, stop the injection when close to the last 2ml.
In conclusion; agitated saline is a cheap, safe and easy to perform technique with lots of added information when properly used. We would like to thank our guest writers this week.
Check out all bubble study blogs:
If you are interested in being a guest writer, please contact us
Mar
2019
Oct
2019