Parasternal long axis view

Figure 1: Heart structures that can be observed using the parasternal long axis view. A - cross section; B - detail; C - ultrasound. LAX - parasternal long axis; RV - right ventricle; LV - left ventricle; AO - aorta; LVOT - left ventricular outflow tract; LA - left atrium; CS - coronary sinus; AOd - descending aorta.

With the parasternal long axis view, the following structures can be visualized:

• left ventricle,

• left atrium,

• aorta,

• right ventricle,

• aortic valve,

• mitral valve.

With this projection, you can assess:

• size of chambers

• left ventricular wall thickness

• left (and right) ventricular systolic function

• the morphology of the valves.

If you place a color Doppler here, you can also assess the function of the valves. One can measure the septal wall and posterior wall thickness as well as left ventricular inner diameter, measured in end-diastole.

Figure 2: Example of measurements that can be done using color Doppler on the parasternal long axis view.

One can also measure the aortic root diameter, the left atrium as well as the right ventricle.