We recently reviewed basic right heart anatomy and outlined the ASE updated recommendations for quantifying right heart size and function. For the 2nd part of our Right Heart blog series, we are going to discuss proper measurements for size evaluation of the right ventricle (RV).
7 Tips to Implementing RV Size Quantification Read More »
CardioServ is dedicating the month of April to right heart quantification awareness! This month we will present a series of blogs to review the proper methods to quantify right ventricular size and function.
Introduction to Right Heart Assessment Read More »
Modality: Adult Echo TEE
Review the following images and see if you know what pathology is present! TEE images of LA and RA Color Doppler over the atrial septum demonstrating PFO.
Name That Pathology Read More »
As diagnostic imaging professionals, we often perform echocardiograms on patients with hypertension to monitor the thickness, strength and wall motion of the heart. Last week we launched our two-part blog on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). In part one we explained the pathophysiology behind the various categories of LVH along with the echocardiographic findings. We discussed how LVM and RWT plays a role in identifying the categories of LVH. This week we will answer the question: What is LVM and RWT and how do we obtain these values?
Understanding LVH Part 2: How to Measure LV Mass and Diagnose LVH Read More »
HOW COULD I IMPROVE THIS IMAGE?
Modality: Transthoracic Echocardiography
View: Subcostal long axis IVC
ANSWER:
The image could be optimized to elongate the IVC to ensure the correct diameter is measured.
Inspiring Excellence Series Read More »
Last week, we shared our new year resolutions which including writing more and inspiring more. So I am jumping right in by writing a blog on the correct method to estimate right atrial pressures (RAP) when calculating your RVSP during an echo. The American Society of Echocardiography has outlined the correct use of the Collapsibility Index to estimate RAP yet the majority of the echocardiograms that we review on a daily basis still have an RAP of 10 entered for every echo. After speaking with sonographers, most admit it’s either a bad habit or it is just what they were taught to do.
8 Things to Know About Estimation of RAP via Echocardiography Read More »
We provide our software clients with weekly eTutoring and the next 2 weeks we are reviewing the recent echo accreditation changes to the QI program and to the random audits. We wanted to share this information with all of you. This week, we will briefly review both the current changes in effect and the new changes that will kick in January 2017.
Changes Again with Echo Accreditation Read More »
For those following our blog series you should be getting the hang of streamlining your QI Program by now. This week we will tackle the dreaded clinical correlation! Wait… before you cringe and close out this blog let me share some good news! IAC recently changed the correlation requirements for many of the modalities.
The 4 Most Effective Tactics for Gathering Clinical Correlation Read More »
An 85 year old patient presents to the ER with worsening shortness of breath and a history of known pulmonary hypertension. Her chest x-ray reveals massive cardiomegaly. An echo is ordered to assess the status of her pulmonary hypertension. We will present this echo to illustrate the correct techniques when performing an echocardiogram with the indication of pulmonary hypertension. Learn about the LV Eccentricity index and the latest recommendations for calculating correct RA pressure through evaluation of the IVC.
Pulmonary Hypertension Case Study Presentation Read More »
Pulmonary embolism continues to cause at least 60,000 deaths per year in the United States according to CDC statistics. Ten percent of symptomatic pulmonary emboli are fatal within one hour of symptoms onset. However, diagnosis can often be difficult because the presenting signs and symptoms are nonspecific and often mimic other cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Interventional strategies to remove or dissolve thrombi continue to improve. With these improvements, our ability to understand and diagnose also needs to improve. Echocardiography can aid in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and provides important functional information about the right and left ventricle that cannot be ascertained from other tests.
Echo in Pulmonary Embolism…the clot thickens Read More »