Rev Esp Cardiol
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Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the most common cause of cryptogenic stroke in patients younger than 55. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been accepted as the reference diagnostic technique. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), TEE and transcranial Doppler (TCD) in the diagnosis and quantification of patent foramen ovale. ⋯ TTE enables adequate diagnosis and quantification of PFO. TEE is less sensitive and tends to underestimate the severity of the shunt.