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.

3D echo guidance seeing increasing use in congenital heart surgery
Pei-Ni Jone, MD, FASE, director, echocardiography laboratory, Lurie Children’s Hospital Heart Center, member of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Board, explains how 3D echo is being used to better plan, guide and follow up in congenital cardiac surgery.
GE HealthCare launches ‘ultra-premium’ Vivid Pioneer cardiovascular ultrasound system
The company describes Vivid Pioneer as its “most advanced, ultra-premium and adaptive cardiovascular ultrasound system yet.” It includes new and improved AI capabilities and a compact design that is still fully functional in tight workspaces.
Cardiovascular device approvals continue to lead the FDA's Breakthrough Device Program
Cardiology is number one in FDA Breakthrough Device designations at 218, the highest number out of all other clinical categories. This includes 16 new devices cleared in the past year.
Pericarditis: New guidance takes on the diagnosis and management of a challenging heart condition
Pericarditis, inflammation of the pericardium, accounts for approximately 5% of all emergency department evaluations for chest pain. These new recommendations are designed to help guide clinicians through the ins and outs of patient care.
CCTA outperforms TEE after LAAO, new meta-analysis confirms
Researchers reviewed data from more than 1,300 patients who underwent both CCTA and TEE after undergoing LAAO. The two modalities were comparable in many ways, but cardiac CT was linked to a few key benefits.

Pei-Ni Jone, MD, FASE, director, echocardiography laboratory, Lurie Children’s Hospital Heart Center, professor of pediatric cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, member of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Board, and the chair of the ASE Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease Council Steering Committee, explains how 3D echo is being used to better plan, guide and followup in congenital cardiac surgery.

3D echo guidance seeing increasing use in congenital heart surgery

Pei-Ni Jone, MD, FASE, director, echocardiography laboratory, Lurie Children’s Hospital Heart Center, member of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Board, explains how 3D echo is being used to better plan, guide and follow up in congenital cardiac surgery.

GE HealthCare Vivid Pioneer cardiovascular ultrasound

GE HealthCare launches ‘ultra-premium’ Vivid Pioneer cardiovascular ultrasound system

The company describes Vivid Pioneer as its “most advanced, ultra-premium and adaptive cardiovascular ultrasound system yet.” It includes new and improved AI capabilities and a compact design that is still fully functional in tight workspaces.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the Breakthrough Device Program designations data this week, which now includes 1,176 Breakthrough Device designations, of which 160 have gained market clearance. Cardiovascular devices lead these with 243 devices, the highest number out of all other clinical categories. This includes 16 new cardiovascular devices cleared in the past year.

Cardiovascular device approvals continue to lead the FDA's Breakthrough Device Program

Cardiology is number one in FDA Breakthrough Device designations at 218, the highest number out of all other clinical categories. This includes 16 new devices cleared in the past year.

Pericarditis: New guidance takes on the diagnosis and management of a challenging heart condition

Pericarditis, inflammation of the pericardium, accounts for approximately 5% of all emergency department evaluations for chest pain. These new recommendations are designed to help guide clinicians through the ins and outs of patient care.

CCTA outperforms TEE after LAAO, new meta-analysis confirms

Researchers reviewed data from more than 1,300 patients who underwent both CCTA and TEE after undergoing LAAO. The two modalities were comparable in many ways, but cardiac CT was linked to a few key benefits.

AI company raises $55M with help from leading health systems

Ultromics plans to use the new funds to help expand its presence throughout the United States. In addition, the company is focused on developing additional AI-enabled software offerings.

American Society of Echocardiography President David Wiener, MD, FASE, outlined is initiatives for the next year, calling for wider collaboration, sustaining the workforce and better engagement with members.

New ASE president outlines key initiatives in cardiac ultrasound

American Society of Echocardiography President David H. Wiener, MD, said one of his biggest goals is to help the group thrive in the face of ongoing workforce challenges. He also hopes to get new members involved.

Ultromics EchoGo Amyloidosis artificial intelligence

AI-enhanced echocardiography improves early detection of cardiac amyloidosis

The first FDA-cleared AI model of its kind was found to be an accurate screening tool for cardiac amyloidosis.