Suprasternal view of aorta in echocardiography: A radiologist's perspective

Suprasternal view of aorta in echocardiography: 

Technique:

* Position the patient in a supine position with the head elevated on two pillows to extend the neck.

* Place the transducer in the suprasternal notch, with the index marker pointing towards the left shoulder.

* Angle the transducer slightly cephalad and to the left to obtain a long-axis view of the ascending aorta and aortic arch.

* Use color Doppler to identify the flow of blood through the aorta.

Anatomy:

The suprasternal view of the aorta allows visualization of the following structures:

* Ascending aorta

* Aortic arch

* Brachiocephalic artery

* Left common carotid artery

* Left subclavian artery

* Right pulmonary artery

Echocardiographic images of a case:

Significance of suprasternal view:

The suprasternal view is an important echocardiographic view for assessing the following:

* Aortic dimensions

* Aortic dissection

* Aortic aneurysm

* Aortic valve stenosis

* Aortic valve regurgitation

* Coarctation of the aorta

* Patent ductus arteriosus

* Aortic root abscess

Important points:

* The suprasternal view is a valuable tool for assessing the aorta in patients with a variety of cardiovascular conditions.

* It is important to obtain a high-quality image of the aorta in order to accurately assess its dimensions and morphology.

* Color Doppler can be used to identify the flow of blood through the aorta and to detect any abnormalities.

* The suprasternal view should be used in conjunction with other echocardiographic views to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the cardiovascular system.

Here are some additional important points:

* The suprasternal view is particularly useful for visualizing the aortic arch and its branches, as well as the right pulmonary artery.

* It is also a good view for assessing the aortic root and ascending aorta.

* The suprasternal view can be challenging to obtain in patients with a short neck or a thick chest wall.

* In some cases, it may be necessary to use a higher frequency transducer to obtain a clear image.

Conclusion:

The suprasternal view is an important echocardiographic view for assessing the aorta. It is a valuable tool for detecting and monitoring a variety of cardiovascular conditions.

This kindle ebook can help guide you. It is an atlas of different types of ultrasound cases. 

Ebook Assorted ultrasound cases

For readers in India:

Assorted ultrasound cases, Indian edition