In our last post we reviewed the correct techniques for the linear measurement of the LV in the parasternal long axis view. This week we will discuss the aorta and review the morphology and the correct aortic measurement techniques to perform during an echocardiogram.
For those following our blog series you should be getting the hang of streamlining your QI Program by now. This week we will tackle the dreaded clinical correlation! Wait… before you cringe and close out this blog let me share some good news! IAC recently changed the correlation requirements for many of the modalities.
An 85 year old patient presents to the ER with worsening shortness of breath and a history of known pulmonary hypertension. Her chest x-ray reveals massive cardiomegaly. An echo is ordered to assess the status of her pulmonary hypertension. We will present this echo to illustrate the correct techniques when performing an echocardiogram with the indication of pulmonary hypertension. Learn about the LV Eccentricity index and the latest recommendations for calculating correct RA pressure through evaluation of the IVC.
Pulmonary embolism continues to cause at least 60,000 deaths per year in the United States according to CDC statistics. Ten percent of symptomatic pulmonary emboli are fatal within one hour of symptoms onset. However, diagnosis can often be difficult because the presenting signs and symptoms are nonspecific and often mimic other cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Interventional strategies to remove or dissolve thrombi continue to improve. With these improvements, our ability to understand and diagnose also needs to improve. Echocardiography can aid in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and provides important functional information about the right and left ventricle that cannot be ascertained from other tests.
Here is a great case from Dr. Wharton on Medscape of a 45 year old patient with hyperlipidemia (high LDL-C and high triglycerides) taking a high-potency statin who presents with pericardial effusion and signs of tamponade.
This week we stumped a lot of you with Cardiophile’s Echo Quiz. The most common answer we got from our followers was Ebstein’s anomaly and it is easy to see why as both diseases share marked enlargement of the right atrium. Let’s discuss the two diseases and how to differentiate them.
Back in July 2013, one of the revisions to the IAC Standards and Guidelines included “the structural and electrical integrity of the transducer must be checked between each use, using an ultrasound transducer leakage tester.” This revision becomes effective December 31st, 2015. That’s great, but why do we have to do this? What is a leakage tester? How does it work? Where can I get one?
Will you be accrediting or reaccrediting with IAC soon? The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) has released updates to adult echo and vascular testing accreditation to become effective February 2016. Included are changes in credentialing and quality improvement that you will want to know about before your next accreditation! Check out this article highlighting the major differences in the new standards.
For the latest in industry trends, insightful blogs, and updates on our CME-accredited courses.