We dedicated the month of April to learning about ways to implement right heart quantification into our routine exams. This month, we are going to continue that journey and discuss ways to evaluate the function of the right heart!
We have been discussing the importance of evaluating the right heart over the past few blogs this month. The ASE updated the chamber quantification guidelines that provided us with the correct methods to measuring size and function of the right ventricle (RV) and atrium (RA). This week, we are going to talk about the proper method to measuring the size of the right atrium! We will review both the preferred volumetric measurement methods and the linear measurements of the right atrium.
We recently reviewed basic right heart anatomy and outlined the ASE updated recommendations for quantifying right heart size and function. For the 2nd part of our Right Heart blog series, we are going to discuss proper measurements for size evaluation of the right ventricle (RV).
In earlier blogs we discussed calculating the left ventricular mass (LVM) via the 2D Linear Cubed Method with assumes an ellipse shape with a major/minor axis ratio of 2:1. We received a follow up question from a reader: “Can you please provide the reference for NOT using cube method formula when major minor axis ratio is distorted?”
We recently posted a 2-part blog series on how to calculate LV Mass (LVM) and one of our readers provided some great feedback regarding the impact of height on LVM. We thought this reader’s comment was worth sharing and answering.
CardioServ is dedicating the month of April to right heart quantification awareness! This month we will present a series of blogs to review the proper methods to quantify right ventricular size and function.
This month we reviewed radiation safety and patient-centered nuclear cardiology protocols. To close out our March focus on nuclear cardiology, this week we will review IAC nuclear accreditation requirements for on-going Quality Improvement (QI) and provide easy steps to creating your own program.
This week we are continuing the discussion of the movement in nuclear cardiology towards patient centered imaging and the emphasis on reduction of radiation exposure. Many organizations are changing guidelines and standards to align with these principles, one of them being the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). Patient centered imaging is the focus of many changes in nuclear accreditation guidelines. In our last blog, we discussed 5 ways to reduce radiation exposure. IAC implemented all of these in their guidelines. Here is a quick review:
In recent years, there has been a large increase in the role of diagnostic imaging in the medical industry and with that has come increased radiation exposure. Many professional organizations have come together, including ASNC, AHA and IAC to address the issue of radiation exposure and how we can maximize the quality of diagnostic studies and patient safety while reducing radiation risk. March is Radiation Safety Month for CardioServ and we want to bring awareness of patient centered imaging. Success of nuclear cardiology is based on (1) education of clinicians and patients and (2) optimization of patient care through appropriate use criteria and proper imaging procedure for the individual patient.
Modality: Adult Echo TEE
Review the following images and see if you know what pathology is present! TEE images of LA and RA Color Doppler over the atrial septum demonstrating PFO.
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