This webquest is designed to teach students on how to obtain ultrasound images of the agitated saline as it appears in the heart.
Introduction
This webquest is designed for echocardiography students and will instruct them on the study of agitated saline with echocardiography.
The echocardiography student will learn how to take ultrasound images of the interatrial septum as agitated saline is injected into the venous system through an IV.
Saline solution is mixed with a tiny bit of air and agitated to create tiny microbubbles. This agitated saline once injected into the venous system, travels to the right heart and enters into the right atrium. The purpose of this procedure is to determine if there is a PFO, Patent Foramen Ovale (a hole in the heart at the atria level). If indeed, there is a hole in the interatrial septum the blood flow with the agitated saline will pass through this hole and enter into the left atrium, which is not the normal pathway. The normal pathway is flow from the right atrium enters into the right ventricle then out of the heart to the lungs via the pulmonary artery. If blood passes to the left atrium via this hole, then unoxygenated and oxygenated blood is mixed in the left atrium and will go out of the heart to the body being less oxygenated. This agitated saline shows up as bubbles on an echocardiogram, which enables easier visualization of the hole and direction of blood flow.
Task
The echocardiography student will actively engage in this webquest by reading the information that is provided, which includes the weblinks, ultrasound images, and ultrasound videos. After completion of this webquest, the student will complete a Case Study assignment, which also includes additional research on the topic to include the following:
1. Reasons for the procedure
2. Findings of the procedure
3. All possible diagnoses for the procedure
4. Treatment for the findings
5. Prognosis after treatment
Process
Click on the following links to learn about the Echocardiography Agitated Saline Study, why it's done, and what the findings may show:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/what-is-a-bubble-study
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001113.htm
After completing the section above please follow the instructions to complete the case study. This assignment will be submitted in Blackboard under the Case Study assignment for week 10. The following topics need to be addressed in the case study:
1. Reasons for the procedure
2. Findings of the procedure
3. All possible diagnoses for the procedure
4. Treatment for the findings
5. Prognosis after treatment
Evaluation
The case study rubric will be used to evaluate this assignment and aid in the grading.
Conclusion
You have come to the conclusion of the assignment. You should now know how to obtain ultrasound images showing the agitated saline in the heart. You should also have newfound knowledge on why this test is done, what the findings are, what the treatment is, and the prognosis after the treatment is done.