Description:

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Learning Objectives

This course will provide physicians and sonographers at all levels with practical knowledge and application of color flow Doppler, two-dimensional, transesophageal, 3D and stress echocardiographic techniques which can be utilized in everyday application as well as future applications of echocardiography. At the end of the course, each participant should have improved skills in the use of echocardiography techniques for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of common cardiac conditions.

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

-Apply the recommendations for the echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function to clinical practice.
-Explain the role of echo in the treatment of heart failure.
-Use strain imaging to assess cardiac function in various pathological states
-Explore updated methodology to assess diastolic function using the recently updated ASE guidelines
-Assess patients with valvular disorders using the recently updated ACC/AHA guidelines for valvular heart disease
-Recognize different echocardiographic methods of assessing Right Ventricular structure and function. Cite the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques including complementary technologies: CT and MRI.
-Discuss the clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension, its implications for the patient and how echo can help in assessing its severity and guide management of patients with the condition.
-Evaluate how 3D echo works and express limitations and potential applications as it relates to daily practice and patient management.
-Assess the uses of echo contrast agents (imaging enhancing agents) and how to incorporate the use of these agents into a busy echo lab.
-Review of varying disease states that can be evaluated with stress echo.
-Evaluate the role of echo in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with aortic stenosis.
-Recognize the pathology and the basics of echocardiographic assessment of patients with the most common repaired and unrepaired congenital heart lesions
-Review the role of echo in surgical and percutaneous treatments of mitral regurgitation
-Review the role of echo in new percutaneous treatment of tricuspid regurgitation.
-Review the role of echo in guiding other percutaneous procedures such as left atrial appendage closure and alcohol septal ablation.

Program Description

Principles of echocardiography will be reviewed and advances will be demonstrated through lectures and case studies. Participants will be exposed to all aspects of basic and advanced echocardiography. Daily sessions will be devoted to state of the art lectures on advances in echocardiography and specific application to the following states:

-Heart Failure
-Interventional Echocardiography
-Valvular Heart Disease
-Coronary Artery Disease
-Congenital Heart Disease
-Strain Imaging

The following aspects of echocardiography will be covered:

-2D Echocardiography
-Spectral and Color Doppler
-Transesophageal Echocardiography
-3D Echocardiography
-Stress Echocardiography
-Contrast Echocardiography
-Tissue Doppler, Strain/Strain Rate
-Common Congenital Heart Disorders

Case studies will be interspersed throughout each of the lectures to emphasize the importance and clinical utility of each technique discussed. The case studies will emphasize different topics in echocardiography that are seen in daily practice.

Target Audience

This continuing medical education program is designed to meet the educational needs of cardiologists, cardiology fellows, anesthesiologists, surgeons, sonographers and nurses who have a need for echo expertise. A minimum of three months experience in echocardiography and knowledge of basic transesophageal anatomy and physiology of the heart is required.

Accreditation Statement

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation Statement

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 23.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Special Needs

The Feinberg School of Medicine fully intends to comply with the legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If any participant of this conference is in need of accommodation please indicate those needs on the registration form or submit written requests to the Office of CME at least one month prior to the conference date.