Anatomical Structures Corresponding to Each Echocardiographic View (IV)
Preface
VII. Subcostal Biatrial View
This view can be obtained by placing the transducer under the xiphoid process near the right costal margin, with the marker directed toward the subject’s right shoulder. The anatomical structures displayed include the inferior vena cava (IVC), right atrium (RA), interatrial septum (IAS), left atrium (LA), and superior vena cava (SVC).
Figure 1 Subcostal Biatrial View As the name implies, “biatrial” refers to the left atrium and the right atrium. This view is essential for evaluating the morphology of the interatrial septum (e.g., for the presence of an atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale).
Figure 2 The red signal indicates the superior vena cava (SVC) draining into the right atrium (RA); the blood flow is directed toward the transducer, appearing red. The blue signal indicates the inferior vena cava (IVC) draining into the right atrium (RA); the blood flow is directed away from the transducer, appearing blue. Both streams of blood are venous blood.
Figure 3 In this view, the size of the atrial septal defect (ASD) and the distances from the residual edge to the orifice of the superior vena cava (SVC) and the orifice of the inferior vena cava (IVC) (or the atrial wall on the IVC side) are measured to determine whether interventional occlusion therapy is feasible.
VIII. Suprasternal Notch Long-Axis View of the Aortic Arch
Figure 4 This view is essential for the assessment of the aorta, such as in cases of Stanford type A aortic dissection, coarctation of the aortic arch, patent ductus arteriosus, and so on.
Figure 5 This is a case of Stanford type A aortic dissection. From this view, the true and false lumens formed by the torn intima can be seen, involving the aortic arch and its branches (as indicated by the arrows).