ICU & ECHO

Parasternal long axis; the transducer is applied to the third intercostal space on the left parasternal border with the transducer marker pointing to the patient's right shoulder. The scanning plane runs along an imaginary line from the right shoulder to the left flank. This is parallel to the major axis of the left ventricle. Further refinement can be achieved through minor rotation of the transducer to reveal the true "major axis" and lateral to medial angulation to reveal the maximal diameter of the left ventricle. It may be necessary to move up or down one space. This window is best obtained with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position... Parasternal short axis; view the transducer is applied to a similar position on the precordium as used for the long axis view. However, the transducer marker points between the 12 o'clock position and the patient's left shoulder. This corresponds to approximately 90 degrees of rotation... As a general rule of thumb the parasternal..