Echocardiography

Cardiac ultrasound uses reflected sound waves (echos) to create images of anatomy inside the body. Echocardiograms are the primary cardiac imaging modality used to assess the heart and diagnose or track cardiac issues. Echo is the gold standard imaging modality to assess the heart, particularly with calculating left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which is a measure of cardiac output. In addition to noninvasive standard transthoracic echo (TTE), invasive transesophgeal echo (TEE) is also used when clearer, more detailed imaging of the heart is needed. Both 3D and 4D echo echo systems are rapidly gaining wider adoption and enable new types of assessments, especially in the structural heart space and in transcatheter procedural guidance. Find news on general ultrasound imaging.

Hitachi Healthcare Americas to Introduce the “Lisendo 880” at ASE 2017, the New Premium 2D and 3D Cardiovascular Ultrasound System by Hitachi

Premium cardiac and vascular imaging rises to a new standard as Hitachi Healthcare Americas introduces the new premium 2D and 3D cardiovascular ultrasound system, the LISENDO 880, at the American Society of Echocardiography 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland on June 3rd, 2017.

June 8, 2017

Toshiba Medical’s Premium Cardiac Ultrasound Solution Helps Clinicians Improve Diagnostic Accuracy

When advanced cardiac ultrasound imaging is needed for fast and confident diagnoses, Toshiba Medical, a Canon Group company, will showcase its AplioTM i900 at this year’s American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) 2017 annual meeting in Baltimore, Md., June 2–6, 2017 (Booth #313). The Aplio i900 system is the latest addition to the premium Aplio i-series ultrasound platform, providing cardiologists and cardiovascular sonographers an ultrasound solution with excellent imaging clarity and definition.

June 2, 2017

Digisonics Showcases New Enhancements for Streamlined Cardiovascular Workflows at ASE 2017

HOUSTON (May 30, 2017) – Digisonics (Booth #421) will exhibit its latest functionality for Cardiovascular Information Systems (CVIS) at the American Society of Echocardiography 28th Annual Scientific Sessions in Baltimore, Md.
May 30, 2017
Geoffrey A. Rose, MD, President, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute

Pathways for Quality Care: Echocardiographers Ponder a Playbook for Imaging in Myocardial Infarction

Physicians in fields like cardiology have traditionally looked to clinical practice guidelines to help articulate the best evidence-based care for patients. The rapidly growing movement to value-based care is prompting clinicians—including echocardiographers—to carefully weigh a more focused and integrative approach to delivering consistent, quality medicine: care pathways.

April 21, 2017
To prevent the risk of patients developing heart failure from chemotherapy agents in cancer care, patients are typically have their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or myocardial strain monitored using either echocardiography or equilibrium radionuclide angiography/multigated acquisition (ERNA/MUGA). If cardiac damager occurs, the treatment is discontinue or pause treatment. Cardiac imaging to assess chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity using strain echo.

Succeeding with Cancer: Using Imaging to Avoid Treatment-induced Heart Failure

Treating today’s cancer patient no longer means simply targeting the cancer. Given the known cardiotoxicities of some established chemotherapies and the possibility that newer approaches may damage the heart, oncologists, cardiologists and imaging specialists now work together to detect and minimize the risk of treatment-induced heart failure.

March 22, 2017

Coding for Clarity: Echocardiography Gains Two New CPT Add-On Codes

The approval of two new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes acknowledges echocardiographic myocardial strain imaging and myocardial contrast perfusion echocardiography as emerging technologies, often a necessary step before a code is promoted to payable status.

January 31, 2017
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers valuable lessons that can be applied to its mitral valve counterpart, according to imagers on the frontlines for both techniques. This ius being carried over into the complex anatomy involved in transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement (TMVR).

Mitral Mysteries: Imagers Explore a New Frontier in Transcatheter Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement offers valuable lessons that can be applied to its mitral valve counterpart, according to imagers on the frontlines for both techniques.

October 27, 2016
Sharon L. Mulvagh, MD

Goal Reversal? Study Suggests Echocardiography Could Have an Underuse Problem

ASE says new data may be a “wake-up call” to recognize the value of echocardiography.  

May 26, 2016

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup