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Echocardiographic examination of the heart usually begins with a PLAX view. Acquiring a good PLAX view is important to assess left ventricular contractility and to determine the presence of pericardial effusion and right ventricular strain. | Echocardiographic examination of the heart usually begins with a PLAX view. Acquiring a good PLAX view is important to assess left ventricular contractility and to determine the presence of pericardial effusion and right ventricular strain. | ||
==How to Get a Good PLAX View== | ==How to Get a Good PLAX View== | ||
To get a good PLAX view, begin with placing the transducer in the third or fourth intercostal space and adjust as necessary, moving a few intercostals spaces up or down. Better results are obtained if the patient is placed in a left lateral decubitus position. This will allow better visualization of the mid-portion and base of the left ventricle, both leaflets of the mitral valve, the aortic valve and the aortic root, the left atrium and the right ventricle. | To get a good PLAX view, begin with placing the transducer in the third or fourth intercostal space and adjust as necessary, moving a few intercostals spaces up or down. Better results are obtained if the patient is placed in a left lateral decubitus position. This will allow better visualization of the mid-portion and base of the left ventricle, both leaflets of the mitral valve, the aortic valve and the aortic root, the left atrium and the right ventricle. <cite>Nihoyannopoulos</cite> | ||
The transducer is traditionally moved and pointed toward the right shoulder to parallel the beam to the major axis of the left ventricle and to pass it through the center of the left ventricular chamber. Gradual medial to lateral angulation until the left ventricle size is at its maximum will allow one to see the minor axis at its maximal state and the mitral valve leaflet excursion at its greatest. Minor axis dimensions may then be viewed and recorded. | The transducer is traditionally moved and pointed toward the right shoulder to parallel the beam to the major axis of the left ventricle and to pass it through the center of the left ventricular chamber. Gradual medial to lateral angulation until the left ventricle size is at its maximum will allow one to see the minor axis at its maximal state and the mitral valve leaflet excursion at its greatest. Minor axis dimensions may then be viewed and recorded. | ||
==Characteristics of a Good PLAX View== | ==Characteristics of a Good PLAX View== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<biblio> | <biblio> | ||
#Nihoyannopoulos isbn=1848822928 | |||
#Feigenbaum1 isbn=0781795575 | #Feigenbaum1 isbn=0781795575 | ||
#test pmid=21587215 | #test pmid=21587215 | ||
</biblio> | </biblio> | ||