1\ The First Section: Basic

Tracings of M-Mode

Echocardiography

1.1\ Parasternal Left Ventricular

Long-Axis View: M-Mode,

Echo Pattern of Heart Base

(Aortic Root)

Fig. 6.1  Parasternal left ventricular long-axis view: M-mode, echo pattern of heart base (aortic root)

1.1.1\ Scanning Method

The patient lies flat or on the left side. The transducer is placed in the area about 1 cm away from the left sternal fringe (third intercostal space). The beam point is directed towards the right— back or up slightly on the heart base. The M-mode cursor passes through the right coronary valve and noncoronary valve with the sample line being

as perpendicular to the atrial and ventricular walls as possible.

1.1.2\ Section Structure

From the near to the distant, chest wall, anterior right ventricular wall, right ventricular outflow tract, anterior aortic root wall, aortic valve, posterior aortic wall, and left atrium are seen sequentially.

1.1.3\ Measuring Method and Normal Value

Following values represent the normal anterior to the posterior diameters of the heart base structures: anterior right ventricular thickness: 4 ± 1 mm, right ventricular outflow tract’s dimension: 24 ± 11 mm, aortic root’s dimension: 23 ± 14 mm, systolic separation of the aortic valve leaflets: 11 ± 4.5 mm, and left atrium’s diameter: 30 ± 12 mm. A ratio of the right ventricular outflow tract to the aortic root to left atrium is about 1:1:1.

1.1.4\ The Clinical Application

Dimensions of the right ventricular outflow tract and aortic root and opening range of the aortic valves can be measured, while echogenicity and thickness of the aortic valve leaflets as well as activity of aortic root can also be observed in this view.