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.