A basic digital imaging protocol for pediatric echocardiography.
PLAX
- Two-dimensional (2D) assessment of left ventricle (LV), left atrium (LA), mitral valve (MV), aortic valve (AV), and aortic root
- Aortic root measurements
- LV outflow tract (LVOT) diameter measurement
- 2D and/or M-mode LV cavity diastolic and systolic measurements
- 2D and/or M-mode LV wall thickness measurement
- 2D LA dimensions
- Color flow imaging of MV and AV/LVOT
- 2D imaging of right ventricular inflow and tricuspid valve
- Color flow imaging of tricuspid valve
- Continuous wave (CW) Doppler of tricuspid regurgitation if present
PSAX
- 2D imaging of LV at base, mid, and apex
- 2D imaging of MV
- 2D/color flow imaging of AV
- 2D/color flow imaging of pulmonary valve/proximal pulmonary artery
- 2D/color flow imaging of tricuspid valve
Apical
- 2D dimensions of LA
- 2D imaging
- LV4-chamber view
- Long-axis view
- 2-chamber view
- Apical short axis
- 2D/color flow imaging of MV
- 2D/color flow imaging of tricuspid valve and AV/LVOT
- Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler
- mitral inflow
- pulmonary veins
- LVOT
- Doppler tissue imaging of medial or lateral mitral annulus
- CW Doppler
- MV (if MV disease is present)
- AV
- tricuspid valve
Subcostal
- 2D imaging in long and short axes of LA, right atrium, LA, and LV
- 2D/color flow imaging of atrial septum
- Color flow imaging of tricuspid valve
- 2D imaging of inferior vena cava/hepatic veins
- 2D imaging of aorta
Suprasternal
- 2D imaging in long and short axes of aortic arch
- PW or CW Doppler of descending thoracic aorta
- The transition from an analog to a digital echocardiography laboratory: the Mayo experience.
- J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2004 Nov;17(11):1214-24. Review.