Facts707: new An '''agitated saline contrast test''' ('''ASCT''', '''ASC''', or '''AST'''), also '''agitated saline contrast study''', '''agitated saline bubble study''', '''agitated saline bubble test''', '''bubble study''', and '''bubble test''', is a technique used to obtain additional information from an ((Echocardiography|echocardiogram)). The technique uses a ((saline (medicine)|saline)) solution (salt water) which is agitated by mixing it back and forth quickly between two ((syringe))s. This creates very small bubbles in the saline which, when injected ((Intravenous therapy|intravenously)) into the arm, can be seen as they pass through the ((heart))'s chambers. These bubbles can be followed in the heart ((Medical ultrasonography|ultrasonically)), creating an echocardiogram, to determine if any bubbles do not follow the normal blood flow pathways.<ref name=Colorado_Springs> {{cite web | url=http://www.cardiocares.com/Public%20Pages/Testing/bubble_study.htm | title=What is a Bubble Study? | author=Cardiodiagnostics of Colorado Springs | accessdate=4 November 2009 }} </ref> ==References== <references/> {{cardiology-stub}}