Apical Window: 4 Chamber, 5 Chamber, 2 Chamber and Long Axis Views

This chapter deals with the scanning from near the Apex of the Heart (Point of Maximum Impulse-PMI) called Apical Window. In this Window, there are four views (Apical 4 Chamber View, 5 Chamber View, 2 Chamber View and 3 Chamber view also called Long Axis View), which are obtained by rotation of the Index Mark of the transducer probe. Each View gives a different image of the Heart and hence a different angle of the Walls of the Ventricles. This is extremely important to study the movement of the walls so that any diminution in the coronary blood flow can be identified. Also, each view has its unique feature and is useful to examine a particular image like the Long Axis of the Aorta in 2 Chamber View. This chapter explains step by step how to obtain the image, the structures visualized and not visualized in each view, the pathology that can be identified in each view with the use of 2D, M Mode and Doppler (Spectral and Color) wherever possible, the Emergency situations that need instant reporting, and how to do the measurements and interpret them when they deviate from normal. After reading this Chapter, the performance of Echocardiogram at the Apical Window becomes very informative and easy for the sonographer.