Suprasternal Window: Long Axis and Short Axis of Aorta

Suprasternal Window is used to obtain mainly the image of the Aorta in its Longitudinal and Transverse Axis, evaluate the blood flow through it (Amount and Direction), and examine if there is any narrowing or enlargement of the lumen and identify any pathology involving the wall of the Aorta. It also gives indication of pathology of surrounding structures like Aortic Valve Regurgitation, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Coarctation of Aorta, Left Atrial Enlargement, Pulmonary Artery Dilatation, etc. This view displays the image of the Aorta from the Aortic Root to the Descending Thoracic Aorta. The Right Brachiocephalic Artery, the Left Common Carotid Artery and the Left Subclavian Artery are the branches of the Aorta seen in this view. This chapter describes how to obtain the 2D image, how to obtain Spectral (Pulse Wave, Continuous Wave) Doppler, how to obtain Color Doppler image and how to interpret the findings. A list of most of the disease entities have been enumerated. Schematic diagrams reinforce the concepts. Hence, after reading this chapter, the sonographer will have the knowledge of not only obtaining the images, but also the utility of the images.