Apical 5 Chamber
 This website is currently being developed and in a testing phase. Content is incomplete and may be incorrect. |
How to Get a Good Apical Five Chamber View
To obtain a good apical five chamber view, the apical four chamber view must first be acquired. The apical five chamber view is found by placing the transducer on the apex of the heart, near the Ictus Cordis. A slight counterclockwise and upward tilt of the of the transducer from will show the image of what is considered the fifth chamber, the aorta. This movement will make the image of the right atrium and tricuspid valve disappear from the monitor and replaced with the image of the aorta. The aorta can now be seen in the position where the crux cordis was. To get a better view, the transducer may be moved an intercostal space higher and laterally to align the ultrasound beam with the left ventricular outflow tract.
Structures Seen in an Apical Five Chamber View
The following structures may be seen in the apical five chamber view: aorta, aortic valve, left ventricular outflow tract, proximal segment of the ascending thoracic aorta. These structures may be evaluated in relation to the mitral valve and the interventricular septum.
Purposes of an Apical Five Chamber View
The presence of the aortic stenosis and the assessment of its severity may be achieved with the help of a good apical five chamber view, as well as detection of aortic regurgitation. Using the color Doppler helps in the assessment of the aortic regurgitation and stenosis and even acceleration around the aortic outflow tract.
Example of an apical 5 chamber view
This a normal heart
| <flash>file=A5Cnormal.swf |
| Apical 5 chamber view of a normal heart |
 enlarge |
