Left ventricular outflow tract view (fetal echocardiogram)

Radiopaedia • CC-by-nc-sa 3.0 • de

The left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) view (or five chamber view) is one of the standard views in a fetal echocardiogram.

It is a long axis view of the heart, highlighting the path from the left ventricle into the ascending aorta (left ventricle outflow tract).

In this view the right ventricle should be anterior to the LVOT and the left atrium should be posterior.

This view can be achieved by turning the transducer while a good 4 chamber view is obtained, towards the fetus left shoulder.

This view can be useful to assess

  • possible abnormal relationship between the ventricles and the great vessels, such as in transposition of the great arteries (TGA)
  • ensure continuity of the aorta with the inter ventricular septum (discontinuity may indicate a VSD)