Figure 2

Examples of two-dimensional still frames obtained from hand-held echocardiographic examinations of four distinct patients. (A) Parasternal long axis view obtained from a patient admitted for septic shock secondary to a severe aortic endocarditis (arrows indicate vegetations) associated with a massive regurgitation and dilated left ventricle. (B) Parasternal short axis view obtained from a patient with an acute respiratory distress syndrome and associated cor pulmonale. The right ventricle was markedly enlarged and the ventricular septum bulged towards the left ventricular cavity at end systole, due to severe pulmonary hypertension (arrow). (C) Apical four-chamber view obtained from a ventilated patient with refractory hypoxemia. The contrast study (intravenous injection of saline microbubbles) revealed a large interatrial right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale, which participated to persistent hypoxemia: left cardiac cavities were filled up by the microbubbles within two cardiac cycles. (D) Subcostal view obtained from a patient presenting with shock and pulsus paradoxus. A mild pericardial effusion responsible for prolonged right atrial collapse during the cardiac cycle (arrow) was consistent with a tamponade, and the patient underwent successful pericardotomy. LV, left ventricle; RV, right ventricle; LA, left atrium; RA, right atrium; Ao, ascending aorta.