Table 2 Semi-quantitative systolic ventricular function measures that might be used by the clinician with more evolved training in cardiac POCUS. Normative values are taken from the available literature on the topic [32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45] and represent the best reference data available so far, although, in some cases, specific level for a different class of patients’ age are lacking

LV fraction shortening (FS%)

PSAX, PLAX, (2D or M mode)

LV intraluminal diameter change

28–46% for all ages

LV ejection fraction (Simpson’s method)

A4C, A2C

Percentage change of LV volume between end-diastole and end-systole

55–80% for all ages

E-point septal separation (EPSS)

PLAX (2D or M mode)

Distance between anterior leaflet of the mitral valve and intraventricular septum during the diastolic phase. This measurement is associated with LV systolic volume.

> 7 mm in adults predictive of severe LV dysfunction *

LV output (stroke volume)

A5C, PLAX

Product of VTI measured by pulse wave Doppler at LVOT in A5C and LVOT cross-sectional area measured in PLAX

Z-scores available for different ages and should be used;

neonates: 150–400 ml/kg/min

Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE)

A4C

Systolic excursion of lateral (or medial) mitral annulus toward apex to assess LV systolic function.

Z-scores available for different ages and should be used;

term neonates: > 8 mm (8–11 mm)

Adults 12–14 mm (< 8 mm predictive of severe LV dysfunction)

RV output (stroke volume)

PSAX or sweep PLAX

Product of VTI measured by pulsed-wave Doppler at RVOT and RVOT cross-sectional area

Z-scores available for different ages and should be used;

neonates: 150–400 ml/kg/min

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)

A4C

Systolic excursion of lateral (or medial) tricuspid annulus toward apex to assess RV systolic function.

Term neonates: > 8 mm (8–11 mm)

Children–Z-score available; generally > 12 mm (12–17 mm)

Adults or grown-up children > 17 mm (17–25 mm)