Module 1: How to obtain cardiac views

The longitudinal views of the heart are optional. All the normal features of the heart can be seen on a transverse sweep and the longitudinal views are not essential for cardiac evaluation during a routine obstetric scan. However, it can be useful to be aware of them and their normal appearance.

To obtain longitudinal views, the first step is to obtain the 4-chamber view of the heart, the second, to rotate the transducer through 90° and the third, to sweep the beam longitudinally through the fetus, adjusting the transducer position to image the sagittal views of the heart:

• The short axis of the left ventricle
• The long axis of the arterial duct
• The long axis of the aortic arch
• The caval vein view

Note the changes in the transducer orientation necessary to obtain the correct long axis projections. Some cuts (yellow lines) are almost straight antero-posterior and some (blue lines) are angled into the thorax