The target is a short axis view of the two ventricles, corresponding to the yellow sector (the scanning plane) intersecting the heart in the torso in the picture

The probe is placed directly over the heart

The right ventricle is placed anterior to the probe and appears in the near field

The deeper placed posterior wall and the papillary muscles of the left ventricle appear in the far field

Notice that the right ventricle appears on the left side of the screen, and the left ventricle appears on the right side

The structures identified in the FATE position 3 parasternal short axis view are:

– RV: Right ventricle
– LV: Left ventricle
– ALPM: Antero-lateral papillary muscle
– PMPM: Postero-medial papillary muscle
– IVS: Inter-ventricular septum
– LW: Lateral wall
– PW: Posterior wall
– Pericardium

Imagine that the probe is placed on the upper border of the monitor with the red and the blue radii diverging from the probe

The red radius of the sector displayed on the screen corresponds to the red radius of the sector of the ultrasound beam intersecting the heart in the torso

The blue radii also correspond to each other

Notice that the orientation marker of the probe (the grey arrow) is pointing towards the patient’s left shoulder

In the daily clinical practice it is important to know the blood supply of the heart

Remember the individual variations can be substantial

The PLAX view is the only view in the basic FATE protocol where the orientation marker on the transducer is directed towards the right shoulder

It is the standard view for measuring the dimensions of the heart

The image quality is often improved with expiration

Left lateral position – approx. 70-90 degrees – is generally the optimal position for the PLAX view

The apex is generally not seen

Imagine that the probe is placed on the upper border of the screen with the red and the blue radii diverging from the probe

The red radius of the sector presented on the screen corresponds to the red radius of the yellow sector intersecting the heart of the torso

The blue radius of the sector presented on the screen corresponds to the blue radius of the yellow sector intersecting the heart of the torso

The apex of the heart is displayed on the left side of the screen

Notice that the grey arrow points towards the patient’s right shoulder in this particular view