Quote: (Originally Posted by
gtzavelas)
Yes, thats an other alternative. (much nicer!)
But I am afraid (at least back in 2004 when I did my research) that the TEE is the most accurate and reliable method...
things change very fast thought so I am not a doctor anyway so cant be really sure...
Anyone has any recent info/study comparing the methods?
TEE (or TOE) is considered the gold standard. But in my case the TTE with contrast established that i did have a PFO but not its exact location, so had TOE. because of sedation to have an ultrasound probe shoved down my throat, i was unable to vasalva properly when i had the TOE performed immediately after the TTE. The TOE can be better because the probe is sitting basically right next to your heart and the ultrasound doesn't get interference from your ribs.