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Surface Cardiac Ultrasound

In this chapter we will be reviewing the cardiac windows in order to perform a focused cardiac ultrasound examination. So we begin by understanding the acoustic windows we need in order to perform a cardiac ultrasound interrogation.

Introduction

This is not a full echocardiographic examination. Training in echocardiography is a multilayer process that requires extensive training and certification and not the scope of practice of the Anesthesiologist. Instead, focused cardiac ultrasound, which is a component of POCUS, was borne out of the need to have access to this powerful technology while not overburdening the provider with a detailed understanding of all the capabilities and only with a limited number of views. 

The essence of Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FoCUS) is mainly for a dichotomous interpretation of findings to answer questions that are crucial to the clinical decision-making process.  It aims to gather sufficient information to assess physiologic status and the reduction of diagnostic uncertainty by narrowing the range of viable diagnosis. The diagnostic approach of FoCUS is qualitative or semiquantitative and the examination is conducted without the requirement of performing specific measurements. Qualitative appreciation of sizes and function (e.g., the right ventricle is dilated or nondilated, normokinetic or hypokinetic) or semiquantification of ranges of function (e.g., the left ventricle is hyperkinetic, normokinetic, hypokinetic, or severely hypokinetic) represents the modus operandi of FoCUS. 

We start by becoming expert sonographers at performing the following 5 FoCUSed views. 

FoCUSed Views and how to get them

Ideally patients should lie left lateral with left arm extended. It is likely however that you may not be able to change the position of the patient due to hemodynamic instability which may limit one or more of the following views. The phased array transducers used in cardiac imaging (2-8MHz) will be the probe you will be using. The subcostal view can also be obtained using the curved linear probe. In order to maximize  your understanding of probe position and the cuts you are performing on the heart we encourage you to use the links between this page and the 3d model of the heart offered in Surface Planes.

Surface Cardiac 3D Model

The first step in this process is to become excellent sonographers. For this we will be using a 3D model to help us with the orientation of the placement of the surface cardiac probe. The stickers that appear in the following model represent the footprint of the cardiac probe. On close inspection you will see that each of the locations has a knob. This represents the orientation of the ultrasound marker or indicator. You will see this more clearly further down on this section. Click on the different footprints to go to those windows below.

Probe positions on surface.png

Above, the bare chest of a 3D model. The markers represent the footprint of the cardiac probe when it is placed on the desired window. The knob represents the orientation of the probe marker. The views: Plx for parasternal long axis, Psx for parasternal short axis, A4c for apical 4 chamber, Subx for subcostal and IVC for inferior vena cava. The 3D model featured in this section was modified from Z-anatomy.

1. Parasternal Short Axis

Psx
Nml Psx 01.gif

       RV
                    
           LV       Ant



   Inf
 
                         Lat

 

Parasternal short axis view being interrogated. Indicator to the left shoulder. Probe position between the third and fourth intercostal space. Rib numbers displayed on the surface of the rib cage.  Mid papillary view seen on the lower right clip. RV, right ventricle; LV, left ventricle; Ant, anterior wall; Lat, lateral wall; Inf, inferior wall. Clips created with the use of Z-anatomy.  

2. Parasternal Long Axis

PLx
Nml Plx 02.gif

MV

Left Atrium

LV

AV

LVOT

RV

Parasternal long axis view. Turn the probe indicator towards the right shoulder. LV, Left ventricle; RV, Right ventricle; AV, Aortic valve; LVOT, Left ventricle outflow tract; MV, Mitral Valve. Clips created with the use of Z-anatomy.  

A4c

3. Apical 4 chamber

Nml Ap4c 02.gif

RV

TV

LV

MV

Left Atrium

IAS

Apical 4 chamber view probe placement. Probe placed in the 4th or 5th intercostal space. Orientation of the indicator towards the right between the 3-5 o' clock position. LV, Left ventricle; RV, Right ventricle; AV, Aortic valve; IAS, Inter atrial septum; MV, Mitral valve; TV, Tricuspid valve. Clips created with the use of Z-anatomy.  

4. Subcostal view

Subcostal
Nml Subcostal.gif

TV

RV

LV

Right Atrium

Liver

Subcostal view probe placement. The probe is placed 2-3 cm below the xiphoid process. Notice the orientation of the probe marker towards the right at the 3 o'clock position. RV, Right ventricle; TV, Tricuspid valve. Clips created with the use of Z-anatomy.  

5. Inferior Vena Cava view

IVC
Nml IVC 02.gif

IVC

RV
 

TV

Right atrium

IVC view probe position. The probe is placed 2-3 cm below the xiphoid process. Marker directed towards the sternal notch. RV, Right ventricle; IVC, Inferior vena cava; TV, Tricuspid valve. Clips created with the use of Z-anatomy.  

References:

1. Zimmerman JM, Coker BJ. The Nuts and Bolts of Performing Focused Cardiovascular Ultrasound (FoCUS). Anesthesia and analgesia 2017; 124: 753-760.

2. Spencer KT, Kimura BJ, Korcarz CE, Pellikka PA, Rahko PS, Siegel RJ. Focused cardiac ultrasound: recommendations from the American Society of Echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2013 Jun;26(6):567-81. doi: 10.1016/j.echo.2013.04.001. PMID: 23711341.

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