II. Technique

  1. Transducer orientation
    1. Transducer placed in suprasternal notch
    2. Transducer indicator pointed towards 9:00
    3. Align energy inferiorly (towards feet) until arch comes into view
    4. Rotate transducer clockwise until arch is in full view (12:00 to 2:00)
      1. May need to rotate transducer counter-clockwise
  2. Landmarks
    1. Brachiocephalic artery (right), Left Carotid Artery, Left subclavian artery
    2. Aortic arch
    3. Right pulmonary artery
    4. Left atrium
  3. Images
    1. ultrasoundProbePositionEchoSupraSternal.jpg
    2. ultrasoundBMP_cvSupraSternal.jpg

III. Interpretation

  1. Normal aorta diameters (adults)
    1. Proximal aorta: 4 cm
    2. Aortic arch: 3.5 cm
    3. Lower thoracic aorta (and abdominal aorta): 3 cm
  2. Aortic Dissection
  3. Aortic aneurysm

IV. Resources

  1. Suprasternal Notch View Video (Sonosite)
    1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkc6tUVRgKo
  2. Echocardiographer
    1. http://echocardiographer.org/

V. References

  1. Mateer and Jorgensen (2012) Introduction and Advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Conference, GulfCoast Ultrasound, St. Pete's Beach
  2. Noble (2011) Emergency and Critical CareUltrasound, Cambridge University Press, New York, p. 61-88
  3. Orman, Dawson and Mallin in Majoewsky (2013) EM:Rap 13(1): 4-6
  4. Reardon (2011) Pocket Atlas Emergency Ultrasound, McGraw Hill, New York, p. 61-106

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