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.

Akhil Narang, MD, director of the echocardiography laboratory at Northwestern Medicine explains the latest trends in structural heart interventional imaging. #ASE #ASE23 #ASE2023 #structuralheart #echofirst

The evolving roles of TEE and ICE in structural heart interventions

Akhil Narang, MD, explained that the two technologies can be used together to deliver high-quality patient care. 

October 23, 2023
Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

One-stop cardiology clinic opens, offering same-day CVD diagnoses

The new healthcare facility is the first of its kind, offering same-day cardiac imaging scans, cardiologist consultations and diagnoses. 

October 12, 2023
Cardiologist heart

Cardiologist compensation much higher at hospitals and health systems than private practices—and the gap is widening

A new 57-page report from MedAxiom explored the latest data on compensation, production, staffing and medical imaging offerings among cardiology programs in the United States. 

October 3, 2023
Ritu Thamman, MD, FASE, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, discusses trends and the technical aspects of strain imaging. #ASE #ASE23 #ASE2023 #strainecho

Strain imaging making a significant impact on the treatment of heart patients

Strain imaging has gained considerable momentum in recent years as an effective tool for getting more value out of heart evaluations. Ritu Thamman, MD, provided an in-depth look at the latest trends in strain echocardiography in an exclusive interview. 

September 14, 2023
Video of Denise Garris, ASE regulatory consultant and principal of the Korris Group, explaining how reimbursements from insurance andMedicare work to pay or cardiac ultrasound exams. #ASE #ASE360 #ASE23 #ASE2023 #healthcarereimbursment

Understanding reimbursements and coding for echocardiography

"I think everyone would agree that the current fee-for-service model is not working appropriately and there needs to be a fix," regulatory consultant Denise Garris explained in a new interview. 

September 13, 2023
Steven Lester, MD, Mayo Clinic, explains how AI will soon revolutionize the echo lab. Photo by Dave Fornell. #ASE #ASE360

How AI can make echo labs more efficient

Advances in AI technology are expected to give physicians more time to provide high-quality care to their patients.

September 12, 2023
Arzhang Fallahi, MD, and David Hsi, MD, discussing imaging-based aortic stenosis screening

Q&A: Cardiologists explore the potential impact of a screening program for aortic stenosis

We already screen patients for breast cancer and lung cancer on a regular basis. Why not establish screening programs for aortic stenosis?

September 11, 2023
Jackie Sohn, DO, explains the use and trating requirements for intensivists and anesthesiologists to train on using point of care ultrasound (POCUS) at ASE 2023.

Training noncardiologists to perform basic POCUS exams

Jackie Sohn, DO, discussed how POCUS is now incorporated into fellowship training programs and the different ways these handheld and smaller cart-based systems are being utilized in hospitals.

September 11, 2023