Fig 1.

Focused transthoracic echocardiography assessment in a healthy pregnant patient, 33 weeks gestation, arterial BP 120/82 mm Hg. (A) Parasternal long axis view. Qualitative observations: no large pericardial effusion; no gross abnormality of mitral valve movement; movement of posterior wall and interventricular septum within normal limits. (B) Parasternal short axis view (i) end-diastolic image, (ii) end-systolic image illustrating coronary artery territories. Qualitative observations: end-diastolic area and end-systolic area within normal limits, normal contraction; reduced ejection fraction heart failure unlikely; normal relationship between left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) (i.e. no bulging of interventricular septum into LV suggesting raised RV volume or pressure); no large pericardial effusion. (C) Apical four-chamber view. Qualitative observations: normal relationship between LV and RV (i.e. the LV is larger than the RV); no pericardial effusion. (D) Abdominal ultrasound scan for fetal HR. Quantitative measurements: fetal HR is 131 beats min⁻¹. Cx, circumflex; LAD, left anterior descending; LVOT, left ventricular outflow tract; MV, mitral valve; RCA, right coronary artery; TV, tricuspid valve.