Saline Contrast Bubble Study
A saline contrast bubble study is performed as part of an echocardiogram (ECG) to detect a atrial or ventricular septal defect, which is an opening between the two sides of the heart. The test may also be conduction on patients who have had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
During the test the saline solution is shaken until it forms bubbles. The bubbles are injected into the patients vein intravenously. The bubbles travel through the vein to the heart. If the bubbles are seen, on the ECG, on the right side of the heart the test is normal. In those patients with a septal defect, the bubbles will appear on the left side of the heart. The bubbles will eventually dissolve in the lungs.
