# Comparison of effectiveness between transthoracic echocardiography and X-ray guided closure of patent foramen ovale: A retrospective analysis

## TL;DR

This study compares two methods for closing patent foramen ovale and finds they are equally effective, with one avoiding radiation exposure.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that TTE-guided PFO closure is as effective as X-ray guidance, offering a safer alternative without radiation.

## Key findings

- TTE and X-ray guided PFO closure showed no significant differences in surgery duration, hospitalization, or complication rates.
- Both methods improved cardiac function and reduced right-to-left shunting equally after treatment.
- TTE-guided closure avoids radiation exposure without compromising clinical outcomes.

## Abstract

To compare the effectiveness of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and X-ray guided closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO).

In this retrospective study, clinical data from 90 patients who underwent PFO occlusion surgery in the First People’s Hospital of Yongkang from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 43 patients underwent X-ray guided PFO occlusion surgery (X-ray group) while 47 patients underwent TTE guided PFO occlusion surgery (TTE group). Perioperative, cardiac function related indicators were measured before and after treatment, along with right-to-left shunting status, and incidence of complications in both groups.

There was no significant difference in the duration of surgery or hospitalization between the TTE group and the X-ray group (p>0.05). After treatment, the cardiac function indicators of both groups increased compared to before treatment (p<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). After treatment, right-to-left shunting in the two groups improved compared to before treatment (p<0.05), with no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in complications between the two groups (p>0.05).

TTE guided PFO occlusion is as effective as X-ray guided PFO occlusion in the treatment of PFO. TTE surgery is clinically beneficial for reducing radiation damage with a good safety profile.