Evaluation of the pulmonary valve and right ventricular outflow
tract in the prone position during invasive mechanical ventilation – Is
it possible?
Authors: César Del Castillo Gordillo MD 1,2,
Francisca Yañez Vidal MD 2, Marcelo Luque Gonzalez MD2, Mario Alfaro Diaz MD 2, Arnulfo
Begazo Gonzales MD 1.
1 Cardiovascular center, DIPRECA Hospital.
2 Cardiovascular center, San Borja Arriaran Clinic
Hospital.
Correspondending author: César Del Castillo Gordillo MD,
Cardiologist, Cardiovascular center, DIPRECA Hospital. 1200 Vital
Apoquindo, 7601003, Santiago, Chile. Email:cesardelcastillogor@gmail.com.
Author contributions: CDCG and FYV: case identification, image
editing, writing and research. MAD and ABG: Image editing and final
proof reading.
Abstract: In the COVID-19 pandemic, we performed a series of
echocardiograms using subcostal views. After placing a patient in prone
position during invasive mechanical ventilation, the echocardiogram
transducer was placed under the patient in the left subcostal position.
This performance allowed us to evaluate the function of the pulmonary
valve and estimate pulmonary pressure. This is a complement to the
monitoring with transthoracic echocardiogram in prone position.
Keywords: Cardiology, Echocardiography, 2D Echocardiography,
Doppler echocardiography, Pulmonary valve, Pulmonary hypertension.