Echocardiogram with Bubble Study
Anybody here have this, and how did it turn out? Apparently contrast dye injected into veins is supposed to show if defect in heart caused my stroke 5 months ago. Now I'm a little worried...
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I have had this done several times while waiting for a liver transplant. No worries. It is a simple procedure and doesn’t take long. It is a little uncomfortable due to the pressure of the wand used to see the heart but nothing to worry about. The bubble study involves an injection but that is just a pinch. More information here.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/what-is-a-bubble-study
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5 Reactions@grrranny
Has this several times. The contrast helps the technician and cardiologist read the echocardiogram. I have heart failure and have these test on ongoing basis.
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2 ReactionsEnd of September, my neurologist asked me to get "CD Echo 2D Dopp and Color Flow". Now he's added "CD Echo w Bubble Study" which has slight risk of stroke. I'm 82 and just recovering from my first stroke 5 months ago.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Would he drop me as a patient if I call his office tomorrow and request to opt out of this additional procedure? I really don't feel good about doing this, and he never discussed it with me. It's stressing me out, and scheduled for next week.
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2 Reactions@grrranny
Have you contacted your doctor about your concerns? If not please do. They need to know your anxiety over this and explain further.
You mentioned your neurologist asked to get the Echo. Is the nerologist looking at damage to your heart of something elsewhere?
I am not familiar nor have I had teh Echo with bubble. Have no idea what that is or what is involved. I have cad the echocardiograms so many times I could not give you a number. Most of those test were done with contrast as technician decieded that get a better look insid heart.
I have found that some doctors don't speak about things unless asked. That is why you need to write down your questions and asked them. If I was you (and I know I am not) I would call my doctor and asked to speak to him/her and asked your questions and state your concerns. He/she is the expert on this and should not have an issue with explaining and going over all the risks versus benefits.
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2 Reactions@grrranny. I totally understand why you want to have a test you read has risk of a stroke, especially when you don’t know how having the test may help you. You have lived through a stroke and I imagine do not want to subject yourself to another one.
I am certainly not a medical professional, rather a patient like you. I think it it were me I would call my doctors office that ordered the test and let them know you aren’t comfortable with this test because you don’t understand anything about it, or how it fits with the other tests he’s ordered. I don’t think I would tell them you want to opt out of getting the test since you are still in the middle of gathering information to make your best decision.
Does this help? Are you comfortable having a conversation with to doctors office that ordered the test?
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3 ReactionsLeft message for doctor today, as he was out of the office until Monday.
The contrast is one thing, but the bubble study is another, and that's what I am reluctant to do. Please see Google and YouTube on "bubble study".
He should be able to get plenty of information from the CD Echo 2D Dopp and Color Flow without adding the more invasive and risky Bubble Study.
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2 Reactions