March 1, 1973Journal of Clinical Ultrasound
Subxiphoid echocardiography
Why the study?
Does subxiphoid echocardiography provide comparable cardiac dimensions to routine left sternal border echocardiography?
Population
Patients undergoing echocardiography, particularly those in whom routine examination is difficult
Comparison
Subxiphoid echocardiography vs Routine echocardiography
Design
Other
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
May warrant subxiphoid echocardiography for LV in difficult windows; leaves open questions on RV measurements and visualization consistency.
Structured PICO
Does subxiphoid echocardiography provide comparable cardiac dimensions to routine left sternal border echocardiography?
P
Population
Patients undergoing echocardiography, particularly those in whom routine examination is difficult (e.g., emphysema, large barrel chests, depressed diaphragms)
I
Intervention
Subxiphoid echocardiography
C
Comparator
Routine echocardiography (transducer along the left sternal border)
O
Outcome
Ultrasonic dimensions of the left ventricle and right ventriclesurrogate
Subxiphoid echocardiography is a useful alternative for evaluating the left ventricle in patients with difficult routine parasternal windows, such as those with emphysema.
Limitations
- Difficult in patients with elevated diaphragms due to marked obesity, ascites, or distended abdomens
- Inconsistent visualization of the aorta and left atrium
Cite This Study
Chang et al. (1973) studied this question.