Basic Cardiac Views

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Steps for Image Acquisition: 

1. Place the probe at the 4th intercostal space (nipple line in males or the inframammary fold in females), with indicator to the patient's right shoulder
2. Center the image on screen, heel/rock if needed.
3. Rotate to lengthen the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT); sweep to widen the LV

Steps for Image Acquisition:

1. From PLAX, rotate the probe 90° clockwise so the indicator points to the left shoulder
2. Visualize the following 3 levels: 
   • Mid-papillary level
   • Mitral valve level ("Fish mouth" view of the anterior and posterior leaflets)
   • Aortic valve level ("Mercedes Benz" view, tilt the probe tail inferiorly to view the aortic valve)

Steps for Image Acquisition:

1. With the patient supine, have them bend their knees to relax the abdominal wall 
2. Place the probe just below the xiphoid process, with the indicator to patient's left
3. Use an overhand grip to keep the probe parallel to the skin and aligned with the heart's plane.

💡 Tip: Use the liver as an acoustic window to enhance image quality.