Which two apical views are used in the Simpson biplane method to calculate LV volumes?

Which two apical views are used in the Simpson biplane method to calculate LV volumes?

• A. Apical 4-chamber and apical 2-chamber
• B. Apical 3-chamber and apical 4-chamber
• C. Apical long-axis and apical 4-chamber
• D. Parasternal short-axis and apical 4-chamber

Answer: (A)

Simpson’s biplane method estimates left ventricular volume by summing the volumes of many discs along the long axis, but you need two orthogonal long-axis views to define those discs accurately. The two apical views used are the four-chamber and the two-chamber views. Tracing the endocardial border in both views at end-diastole and end-systole provides complementary cross-sections that, when combined, reconstruct the LV shape in three dimensions. Using these orthogonal perspectives yields a more accurate volume estimate than relying on a single view. Other views don’t provide the required orthogonal information for this method.

Simpson’s biplane method estimates left ventricular volume by summing the volumes of many discs along the long axis, but you need two orthogonal long-axis views to define those discs accurately. The two apical views used are the four-chamber and the two-chamber views. Tracing the endocardial border in both views at end-diastole and end-systole provides complementary cross-sections that, when combined, reconstruct the LV shape in three dimensions. Using these orthogonal perspectives yields a more accurate volume estimate than relying on a single view. Other views don’t provide the required orthogonal information for this method.