Question

Question 7: When performing an US exam of the heart, can we place the probe above the heart on any orientation or would there be an optimal orientation to image well the heart? Explain why Can we improve the shape of the probe accordingly?
Medical imaging question

Answer 1

Cardiac ultrasound is mainly used to assess the systolic function of heart as well as to evaluate the pericardium for effusion.

We cannot place the probe in the chest in any orientation, but an optimal orientation is required,because heart lies in the left chest oblique.So Standard cardiology teaching positions painting to the right shoulder in the long para sternal or to the left shoulder in short para sternal view with the indicator on the right side of the monitor. Standard display of cardiac anatomy in the long and short axis, Subxiphoid and apical views are the goal for cardiac imaging.

Generally there are 3 types of probes used in ultrasound.

1. Linear
2. Curvilinear
3. Phased array

A phased array probe generates an image from an electronically steered beam in a closed array, generating an image that comes from a point and is good for getting between ribs such as in cardiac iltrasound.

Linear probes are mainly used in visualising vessels are are called vascular probes.

Curvilinear probes are used in transabdominal imaging.

So it is better to use the suitable probes to those organs which is to be assessed.