Table 1.

Ultrasonographic tools for evaluating PFO morphology, shunt severity, and for patient management: Advantages and limitations

Requirements	C-TEE	C-TTE	C-TCD
Sensitivity	+++	++	+++
Specificity	+++	+++	++
Patient tolerance	+	+++	+++
Feasibility	++	+++	++++
Safety	++	+++	+++
Low-cost	+	+++	+++
Shunt quantification	++	++	+++
Anatomic details	+++	++	—
ASA detection	+++	+++	—
Guide to PFO closure	+++	+	—
Follow up after PFO closure	+	++	+++

– = Not fulfilled, + = Poorly fulfilled, ++ = Sufficiently fulfilled, +++ = Widely fulfilled, PFO = Patent foramen ovale, C-TEE = Contrast-enhanced transoesophageal echocardiography, C-TTE = Contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography, C-TCD = Contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler ultrasonography