Cardiac Ultrasound Theory & Principles

Ultrasound cannot penetrate through air-filled structures and bone, hence we have to image the heart through acoustic windows in order to avoid the lungs and bony ribcage. Cardiac POCUS uses a variety of depths; start far and narrow in to ensure you capture the heart. In the lessons to follow, we will discuss the standard cardiac POCUS views in more detail.

Acoustic windows are anatomical areas that allow for ultrasound image generation. Specifically for the heart, there are specific windows that allow ultrasound waves to reach the heart that are unimpeded by lung or bony thoracic wall.