Echocardiography is widely recognized as an integral component to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. The use of cardiac ultrasound has expanded from performing a comprehensive ultrasound in the Echo lab to the focused evaluation of critically ill and trauma patients at the bedside in order to rapidly diagnose and treat the condition for improved patient outcomes and safety.
Echocardiography is performed in a variety of clinical settings such as the ICU, CCU, emergency department, OR, catheterization and electrophysiology laboratories. The use of ultrasound continues to evolve for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
A partial list of cardiac conditions that can be evaluated with ultrasound include:
• Valvular heart disease
• Pericardial diseases
• Ischemic heart disease
• Right and left ventricular abnormalities
• Disease of the great arteries
• Prosthetic heart valves
• Congenital heart disease
The role of echocardiography has also recently expanded to evaluate transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR) and Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) pre-operatively, during the intervention, and post-operatively.
To effectively utilize echocardiography for the initial diagnosis, clinical management, and decision making for these patients, it is imperative that the healthcare provider have a strong understanding of how to perform and interpret the echocardiography examination.
INTRODUCTION TO ADULT ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute offers a 5-day comprehensive adult echocardiography course that incorporates lectures, interactive case studies, and substantial hands-on skills training on live patients. The hands-on sessions offer the lowest participant to instructor ratio (3:1) allowing for personalized attention. Interpretation sessions and human cardiac cadaveric workshops are also included.
All information provided is based on the current ASE cardiac ultrasound guidelines and taught by leading experts in the echocardiography profession. The courses are approved for AMA PRA Category 1™ credit and ACEP credit.
Topics include:
• Ultrasound Imaging Fundamentals
• Anatomy of the Heart and EKG
• 2D Evaluation of Cardiac Anatomy: Parasternal, Apical, Subcostal, and Suprasternal Windows
• Parasternal Long Axis & Short Avis with Live Demonstration
• 2D Measurements and Normal Values
• Doppler Fundamentals
• Color Doppler: Evaluation Sites & Normal Flow Patterns
• Evaluating with Pulsed & Continuous Wave Doppler
• M-Mode Workshop
• Mitral & Aortic Valves
• Cardiomyopathies
• Gross Anatomy Workshop
• Doppler Evaluation of MVD and AVD
• Right Heart Disease
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Diastolic Function/Contrast Echocardiography
• Pericardial Disease & Cardiac Masses
• Interpretation sessions
• Hands-on Skills Training
Objectives:
• Increase the participant’s knowledge to better perform and/or interpret Echocardiography examinations.
• Demonstrate proper transducer manipulation and system optimization to produce diagnostic images (sonographer) and recognize potential imaging errors (Physician).
• Demonstrate routine scan protocols to evaluate an adult patient using 2D/M-Mode/Color Flow & Doppler echocardiographic techniques.
• Perform standard 2D, m-mode and Doppler measurements.
• Identify normal/abnormal characteristics of 2D cardiac anatomy.
• State the role of cardiac Doppler and list the necessary qualitative/quantitative measurements.
• Identify the ultrasound findings associated with valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, ischemic heart disease, pericardial disease and cardiac masses.
• List the latest imaging techniques in quantification of right and left ventricle wall motion. Document findings and apply standardized guidelines during compilation of an Echocardiography worksheet (sonographer) and dictated report (Physician).
• List the steps necessary for system optimization during contrast echo imaging.
• Increase confidence to incorporate protocols, techniques & interpretation criteria to improve diagnostic/treatment accuracy.
Register for the most comprehensive adult echocardiography course offering personalize attention in an engaging learning environment – register for the next GCUS Adult Echocardiograph Program.
December 9-13, 2019 (last course for 2019)!
April 20-24, 2020
June 15-16, 2020 (Blended Education Format)
December 7-11, 2020
