Parasternal Short Axis (PSAX) View. (Left Parasternal Window)

This chapter deals with the views of Parasternal Short Axis in the Left Parasternal window. The Short Axis is done at three levels: Aortic Valve Level, Mitral Valve Level and of the Left Ventricle at the Papillary Muscle Level. Wherever possible 2D, M Mode and Doppler (Spectral and Color) are done. First, how to acquire each image (2D, M Mode and Doppler) is explained. In each image, the structures visualized and not visualized are described. Hand drawn diagrams personally labelled by the author reinforce the study. The pathology that can be identified in each 2D picture, M Mode and Doppler are listed. Emergency conditions that should be identified and reported promptly are elaborated. Hence, after reading this chapter, the person performing the ultrasound will have a good idea of the procedure, how to obtain the different images, how to obtain the different measurements and how to interpret them, when they deviate from the norm. It is important to know that many of the measurements are obtained in the Parasternal Long Axis View also. So, it reinforces the values if they appear close to each other. M Mode of the Left Ventricle at Papillary Muscle Level is less accurate than M Mode of the Left Ventricle at Chordae Tendineae Level because of the more accurate placement of the cursor in the latter view.