Improved technique to diagnose a patent foramen ovale during left ventricular assist device insertion.

Diagnosis of a patent foramen ovale prior to left ventricular assist device placement can be quite difficult, and if missed may result in a significant hypoxemia due to a right to left shunt. We describe a simple and precise way to increase the diagnostic accuracy of patent foramen ovale detection prior to initiating cardiopulmonary bypass for left ventricular assist device placement.