Transthoracic Echocardiography

What are the Standard Transthoracic Echocardiography Views?

There are four standard parasternal locations used in a typical echocardiogram.
(From Thomas et al, JVIM 1993, 7(4) 247-252)

Right parasternal long axis views:

• Right parasternal long-axis four-chamber view (2a).
• Right parasternal long-axis left ventricular outflow tract view (2b).
• Right parasternal long-axis view of the left ventricular inflow and outflow tracts (2c).

Right parasternal short axis views:

• Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the papillary muscles (3.2)
• Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the chordae tendinae (3.3)
• Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the mitral valve (3.4)
• Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the aortic valve (3.5)
• Right parasternal short-axis view at the level of the pulmonary arteries (3.6)

Left caudal parasternal views:

• Left caudal parasternal four-chamber view (5a)
• Left caudal parasternal five-chamber view (5b)

Left cranial parasternal views:

• Lft cranial parasternal long-axis view of the aorta (6a)
• Left cranial parasternal long-axis view of the left ventricle showing the tricuspid valve (6b)
• Left cranial parasternal long-axis view of the pulmonary artery (6c)
• Left cranial parasternal short-axis view of the aorta showing the right ventricular inflow and outflow tracts (7)