A bubble study is a specialized echocardiogram used to assess blood flow between the chambers of the heart. It is often performed to look for a small opening between the right and left sides of the heart, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO).
How to Prepare for Your Test
- No special preparation is required.
- You may eat, drink, and take your medications as usual unless told otherwise.
What to Expect During the Test
- An IV will be started in your arm.
- Saline is mixed with tiny air bubbles and injected through the IV.
- Ultrasound images are taken as the bubbles pass through the heart.
- You may be asked to perform simple breathing maneuvers during the test.
- The test is safe, and the bubbles dissolve quickly in the bloodstream.
