Cardiac ultrasound

Question 1

What is cardiac ultrasound used for

Answer 1

Cardiac chamber size

Myocardial pathology

Myocardial function

Vascular function & regurgitation

Vascular dysfunction

Question 2

What are the limitations of cardiac ultrasound

Answer 2

Air
Limited area of imaging dependent on cardiac notch

Bone
Limited imaging window & probe type
Os cordis in cattle

Distance
Especially in large animals – can be up to 30cm

Anatomy
Forelimb may limit imaging angle

Question 3

What view is this

Answer 3

Long axis view of left ventricle:

See RV, intraventricular septum, LV & LA – closest to 4 chamber view

Question 4

What view is this

Answer 4

Long axis view of left ventricular outflow tract:

Still scanning right hand side

Show RV, tricuspid valve, RA, intraventricular septum, LV, aortic valve & aorta

Question 5

What view is this

Answer 5

Long axis view of right ventricle:

Scan from right hand side

Mostly shows R chambers

Shows RA top with tricuspid valve, RV, pulmonary valve & some of pulmonary artery with aorta wrapped around

Question 6

What view is this

Answer 6

Short axis view of left ventricle:

Rotated 90º

Slice through ventricles

LV has mushroom shaped appearance

Question 7

What view is this

Answer 7

Short axis view of left atrium

Mostly looking at aorta, also shows aortic valve & tricuspid valve

Question 8

What does stationary, approaching & retreating object mean in Doppler ultrasound

Answer 8

Stationary object – reflected sound is of same frequency

Approaching object – frequency of reflected sound is increased

Retreating object – frequency of reflected sound is decreased