Apical 3-chamber view

Figure 1: Heart structures that can be observed using the apical 3-chamber view. A, B - cross section; C - detail; D - ultrasound. 3C - 3 chambers ; 2C - 2 chambers; 4C - 4 chambers; LV - left ventricle; RV - right ventricle; LA - left atrium; AO - aorta.

With the apical 3-chamber view, the following structures can be visualized:

• left ventricle and left atrium.

• the inferio-posterior and anteroseptal walls of the left ventricle,

• the mitral valve and aortic valve.

With this projection, you can assess:

• left ventricular systolic function, as well as regional wall motion abnormalities,

• visual estimation of the size of the left ventricle and left atrium,

• morphology of the mitral and aortic valve.

If you place a color Doppler and a continuous Doppler here, you can also assess the function of the aortic and mitral valves.