Ultrasound Training - Echocardiography/Cardiac Doppler

At the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Explain normal cardiovascular anatomy and physiology and relate cardiovascular functions to disease.
• Discuss cardiac mechanical and electrical physiology and relate this information from the echocardiogram to the basic electrocardiogram.
• Operate several ultrasound units for the production of 2-D, M-Mode and Doppler echocardiograms.
• Perform an echocardiogram using the protocol defined by the American Society of Echocardiography, i.e. parasternal long and short, apical 2, 4, 5, and long, and subcostal long and short axis.
• Quantitatively analyze the results of 2-D and M-Mode echocardiogram.
• Analyze the results of an echocardiogram for normal versus abnormal findings.
• Analyze echocardiograms for common cardiac pathologies.
• Identify and resolve basic technique and equipment problems that interfere with the quality of studies.
• Define the clinical responsibilities of an echocardiographer who is confronted with significant clinical findings.
• Conduct a basic patient history and assessment that relates to interpretation of echocardiographic findings.
• Operate several cardiac ultrasound instruments and apply various types of cardiac Doppler; pulsewave, continuous wave and color flow mapping. * Describe the normal cardiovascular blood flow through the heart and the great vessels as defined by Doppler velocity measurements and profiles.
• Quantify Doppler findings in echocardiography.
• Analyze common cardiac Doppler findings for common cardiac pathologies.
• Identify the diseases or cardiac pathologies that require definition by Doppler examination.

Target Audience

Physicians who want to learn basic echocardiography procedure skills and entry level interpretation. Sonographers or other health professionals learning to perform adult echocardiography procedures.