About Video

This video clip parasternal short axis zoomed-in view of the aortic valve taken from a different individual. All three cusps of the aortic valve are well-seen. The free edges of the cusps may have slight nodular thickenings (Arantius nodules), which are not present here. Careful attention to the atrial septum allows evaluation of diastolic pressures in the heart. The atrial septum here is bulging slightly to the right. This is normal and is consistent with higher left than right atrial pressure. During the cardiac cycle, the atrial septum moves toward the left atrium, when the right atrial pressure increases slightly above the pressure on the left side. Such movement of the septum suggests relatively equal and normal pressures in the atria; thus, diastolic pressure in the ventricles is also likely to be normal. The outflow tract of the right ventricle, normally positioned coronary arteries, bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery, and left atrial appendage can all be seen in this view with some angulation. Special attention should be directed to the left main coronary artery (LM) to rule out significant calcification at its ostium (IAS: Interatrial septum; LA: Left atrium; LCC: Left coronary cusp; NCC: Noncoronary cusp; Pulmonic valve; RA: Right atrium; RVOT: Right ventricular outflow tract; RCC: Right coronary cusp).