Mastering Bedside Echocardiography: Key Techniques for Clinicians

This episode reviews a practical introduction to bedside cardiac ultrasound, emphasizing that echo requires significant repetition and can improve rapid diagnosis in clinical settings. It covers machine and probe settings (phased array/cardiac preset vs abdominal), probe marker orientation, and how cardiac preset improves temporal resolution for moving structures. The four core views (parasternal long axis, parasternal short axis, apical four-chamber, and subcostal) are demonstrated with key positioning tips and the main strengths of each view. Using these views, it focuses on identifying three major pathologies: low ejection fraction/systolic dysfunction, pericardial effusion (including distinguishing pericardial vs pleural fluid using the descending aorta), and right heart enlargement (rule of thirds, D-sign). It also introduces EPSS with M-mode cutoffs and discusses acute vs chronic RV strain, including McConnell sign and clinical context. 00:00 Welcome And Goals 01:02 Why Bedside Echo Matters 02:21 Course Plug Break 03:04 Probe And Settings 05:07 Four Core Views 06:21 Parasternal Long Axis 07:38 Parasternal Short Axis 09:11 Apical Four Chamber 09:51 Subcostal Window 10:40 Spotting Effusions 11:42 RV Enlargement Rules 12:29 Low EF And EPSS 16:32 Apical Pathology Pearls 19:17 Acute Vs Chronic RV 22:01 Short Axis D Sign 22:52 Subcostal Examples 23:29 Wrap Up And Thanks 🌐 Connect with Us 🌐 If you want more educational goodness, check out the links below! Check out our courses here: https://courses.coreultrasound.com Check out our question bank here: https://courses.coreultrasound.com/co... Check out our FREE content on our website: https://www.coreultrasound.com Check out our in-person course in San Diego, Ca on Nov 12-14 2026 here: https://www.soundandsurf.com/essentia... Disclaimer: By watching this (or any Core Ultrasound) education video or reading any of our content, you agree not to use this information as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others, including but not limited to patients that you are treating. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer applies to any and all content produced or discussed by Core Ultrasound. Under no circumstances shall any of the contributors on this website be responsible for damages arising from use of any topic discussed. This content should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made by Core Ultrasound. The content of this website is formed by our own opinions and do not represent the views or opinions of any institutions we may be affiliated with.