Echocardiography 1 - Heart Orientation.

This tutorial will take a closer look at the orientation of the heart inside the chest cavity as viewed on an ultrasound.

Exploring the sliced model will help explain the structures we see in different ultrasound acoustic windows.

We wil explore two parastenal windows, the long axis (PLAX) and the short axis (PSAX).

As you navigate around the viewport, try to match the structures seen in the model to the diagrams provided for selected window. Take note of the following:

• The orientation of the heart structures.
• The location and orientation of the probe.
• The acoustic window plane.

Current Acoustic Window

How to use the simulation:

1. Click Show Probe button to show the probe location.
2. Change the acoustic windows to see probe animation.
3. Click Xray View button to open the chest cavity.
4. Note the probe location in relation to the ribs and sternum.
5. Select Start Scan to start/stop scanning.

NOTE:
Always Stop Scan before changing acoustic windows.
In Body Scanner the ribs and sternum disappear after 5 seconds.