theICUdoc

Welcome to the Advanced Course

The videos are put in groups according to the topics. Simply scroll down to start watching the lectures or click the topic you wish to start with from the right panel.

If you are learning Echo for the first time, I recommend starting from the beginning.

Estimate the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Step-by-step simple methods to estimate the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction. The topics that we will cover are the following:

  • E-point Septal Separation (EPSS)
  • Fractional Shortening (FS)
  • Fractional Area Change (FAC)
  • Mitral Annular Plane Excursion

E-point Septal Separation

Click on the video to the left to learn more about how to measure the EPSS.

Before trying to get the EPSS make sure you master acquiring the Parasternal Long Axis View (PLAX). If you need help with this click the link below  

Fractional Shortening

Click on the video to the right to learn more about how to measure the FS.

Before trying to get the FS make sure you master acquiring the Parasternal Long Axis View (PLAX). If you need help with this click the link below  

Fractional Area Change

Click on the video to the left to learn more about how to measure the FAC.

Before trying to get the FAC make sure you master acquiring the Parasternal Short Axis View (PSAX). If you need help with this click the link below  

Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion

Click on the video to the left to learn more about how to measure the MAPSE.

Before trying to get the FAC make sure you master acquiring the Apical 4 Chamber View (A4C). If you need help with this click the link below  

Calculate the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Step-by-step simple methods to calculate the Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction and Cardiac Output. The topics that we will cover are the following:

  • Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF)
  • Cardiac Output Measurement (CO)

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Click on the video to the left to learn more about how to measure the LVEF.

Before trying to get the LVEF make sure you master acquiring the Apical 4 Chamber View (A4C)  and the Apical 2 Chamber (A2C) View.   

Measure the Cardiac Output

Click on the video to the right to learn more about how to measure the CO.

Before trying to get the CO make sure you master acquiring the Parasternal Long Axis View (PLAX) and the Apical 5 Chamber (A5C) View. If you need help with this click the link below  

Assessment of the Right Ventricle

Step-by-step simple methods to estimate the Right ventricular function. There are two ways to do that; the qualitative method (aka the eyeball method) where a normal RV is 2/3 the size of the LV or the quantitative method. The different quantitative methods of assessing the RV and pulmonary circulation that will be covered are the following:

  • Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) or TAM (Tricuspid Annular Motion)
  • IVC collapsibility
  • Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure (RVSP) 

Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion

Also known as TAM (Tricuspid Annular Motion). Click on the video to the left to learn more about how to measure the TAPSE.

Before trying to get the TAPSE make sure you master acquiring the Apical 4 Chamber View (A4C).   

Inferior Vena Cava Collapsibility

Click on the video to the right to learn more about how to measure the IVC collapsibility which can be used to estimate the right atrial pressure.

Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure

Click on the video to the left to learn more about how to measure the RVSP.

Make sure you take a look at the Right Atrial (RA) Pressure estimation using the IVC collapsibility as a surrogate.  In someone that does not have a central venous catheter that you can measure the CVP you will have to use the IVC collapsibility for estimating the RA pressure.