Echocardiography in the Nation's Capital: Practical Review of Adult Echocardiography for Physicians and Sonographers

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Echocardiography in the Nation’s Capital: Practical Review of Adult Echocardiography for Physicians and Sonographers is designed to provide a practical review of the current uses and limitations of two-dimensional echocardiography, Doppler, and color flow imaging in the assessment of adult myocardial, ischemic, pericardial, and valvular disease. Traditional topics in the field of echocardiography including assessment of systolic and diastolic function, quantitative Doppler, and stress echocardiography will be presented. In addition, newer techniques including 3D echo and strain imaging will be discussed.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Upon conclusion of this program, participants should be able to:

• Correlate the pathology and etiology of valvular heart disease;
• Apply Doppler principles and hemodynamics to the assessment of valvular heart disease and the systematic assessment of prosthetic valves;
• Utilize the proper technique for the assessment and clinical application of diastolic function of the heart;
• Identify diastolic filling patterns found in various cardiac disorders;
• Recognize pathology and echocardiographic findings of ischemic heart disease and mechanical complications of myocardial infarction
• Discuss clinical applications of stress echocardiography;
• Identify the two-dimensional and Doppler findings for pericardial disease; and
• Recognize the potential of new technology in the field of echocardiography, including 3D imaging and strain imaging

Attendance at this Mayo course does not indicate nor guarantee competence or proficiency in the performance of any procedures which may be discussed or taught in this course.

INTENDED AUDIENCE:

This course is designed for physicians and cardiac sonographers who perform and interpret echo exams and wish to enhance their knowledge of the echocardiographic assessment of adult cardiac disease.  Participants with a basic knowledge of echocardiographic techniques and applications will benefit most from this program.