Echocardiography – A Comprehensive Review 2020

Complete Echocardiography CME Review for Clinical Practice, Board Preparation, and Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging

Overview

Echocardiography – A Comprehensive Review 2020 is a broad, clinically focused cardiovascular imaging program designed to provide physicians and healthcare professionals with an in-depth review of modern echocardiography. Developed by leading experts in cardiovascular imaging, this CME course covers the full spectrum of echocardiographic principles, techniques, disease evaluation, advanced imaging modalities, and clinical applications across outpatient, inpatient, perioperative, emergency, and critical care settings.

Organized into four comprehensive sections—General Principles, Cardiovascular Disorders, Echocardiographic Modalities, and Clinical Settings—the program delivers a practical approach to performing, interpreting, and applying echocardiographic findings in everyday patient care.

The curriculum incorporates current clinical guidelines, quality assurance principles, contemporary imaging techniques, emerging technologies, and evidence-based diagnostic strategies. Participants gain a deeper understanding of cardiac structure and function while learning how echocardiography influences diagnosis, procedural planning, therapeutic decision-making, and patient outcomes.

This course is particularly valuable for clinicians seeking a comprehensive review of echocardiography for clinical practice, certification preparation, or continuing medical education.

Course Specifications

Format

• Video Lectures
• Audio MP3 Format
• CME Educational Program

CME Credits

30.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Provider

Oakstone Medical Publishing

Course Year

2020

Educational Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, participants should be able to:

• Understand appropriate clinical indications for echocardiography.
• Apply quality assurance standards in echocardiographic practice.
• Recognize the strengths and limitations of various echocardiographic modalities.
• Interpret normal and abnormal cardiac anatomy and physiology.
• Identify characteristic echocardiographic findings associated with cardiovascular diseases.
• Evaluate valvular, myocardial, pericardial, and congenital heart disorders.
• Utilize advanced imaging techniques in clinical decision-making.
• Integrate echocardiography into perioperative, emergency, and critical care management.
• Recognize emerging indications and evolving technologies in cardiovascular imaging.
• Improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes through appropriate echocardiographic utilization.

Course Structure

The curriculum is divided into four major sections.

Section I: General Principles of Echocardiography

This section establishes the fundamental knowledge required for accurate echocardiographic interpretation.

Topics Include

• Ultrasound Physics
• Cardiac Anatomy
• Cardiac Hemodynamics
• Doppler Principles
• Image Optimization
• Echocardiographic Measurements
• Quantitative Assessment
• Quality Assurance
• Reporting Standards

Participants learn how to acquire and interpret high-quality echocardiographic studies.

Section II: Cardiovascular Disorders

A detailed review of echocardiographic findings associated with common and complex cardiovascular diseases.

Valvular Heart Disease

Comprehensive evaluation of:

• Aortic Stenosis
• Aortic Regurgitation
• Mitral Stenosis
• Mitral Regurgitation
• Tricuspid Valve Disease
• Pulmonary Valve Disorders
• Prosthetic Valve Assessment

Cardiomyopathies

Diagnosis and evaluation of:

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
• Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
• Infiltrative Heart Disease
• Stress Cardiomyopathy

Ischemic Heart Disease

Topics include:

• Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities
• Myocardial Viability
• Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
• Mechanical Complications of Myocardial Infarction

Pericardial Disease

Evaluation of:

• Pericardial Effusion
• Cardiac Tamponade
• Constrictive Pericarditis
• Pericardial Masses

Congenital Heart Disease

Assessment of:

• Atrial Septal Defects
• Ventricular Septal Defects
• Patent Foramen Ovale
• Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Section III: Echocardiographic Modalities

A major focus of the program is understanding advanced imaging technologies.

Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)

The cornerstone of cardiac imaging.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)

Topics include:

• Indications
• Procedural Techniques
• Structural Heart Assessment
• Intraoperative Applications

Stress Echocardiography

Evaluation of:

• Ischemia Detection
• Viability Assessment
• Exercise and Pharmacologic Stress Testing

Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Coverage includes:

• 3D Image Acquisition
• Structural Heart Disease
• Valvular Assessment
• Procedural Planning

Strain Imaging

Advanced myocardial function assessment using:

• Speckle Tracking
• Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS)
• Myocardial Mechanics

Contrast Echocardiography

Applications include:

• Endocardial Border Enhancement
• Intracardiac Shunts
• Cardiac Mass Evaluation

Section IV: Clinical Settings and Special Applications

Practical application of echocardiography across multiple clinical environments.

Critical Care Echocardiography

Topics include:

• Shock Evaluation
• Hemodynamic Assessment
• Ventricular Function Monitoring
• Fluid Responsiveness

Emergency Department Echocardiography

Use of echocardiography in:

• Acute Chest Pain
• Cardiac Arrest
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Aortic Emergencies

Perioperative Echocardiography

Assessment during:

• Cardiac Surgery
• Structural Heart Interventions
• High-Risk Noncardiac Procedures

Intensive Care Unit Applications

Monitoring of critically ill patients including:

• Cardiogenic Shock
• Septic Shock
• Mechanical Ventilation Effects
• Right Ventricular Dysfunction

Emerging Technologies and Contemporary Updates

The course highlights advances that continue to transform cardiovascular imaging.

Emerging Areas Include

• Myocardial Strain Imaging
• Advanced 3D Echocardiography
• Structural Heart Intervention Guidance
• Artificial Intelligence Applications
• Quantitative Echocardiography
• Novel Imaging Techniques

Clinical Applications

Participants learn how echocardiography guides:

Diagnosis

• Structural Heart Disease
• Valvular Disease
• Heart Failure
• Congenital Heart Disease

Risk Stratification

• Cardiomyopathy
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Valve Disease Severity

Procedural Planning

• TAVR
• MitraClip
• Left Atrial Appendage Closure
• Cardiac Surgery

Monitoring

• Disease Progression
• Therapeutic Response
• Critical Illness Management

Target Audience

Physicians

• Cardiologists
• Echocardiographers
• Cardiac Anesthesiologists
• Critical Care Physicians
• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• Internal Medicine Physicians
• Hospitalists

Advanced Practice Providers

• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants

Allied Healthcare Professionals

• Cardiac Sonographers
• Echocardiography Technologists
• Cardiovascular Nurses

Trainees

• Cardiology Fellows
• Internal Medicine Residents
• Critical Care Fellows

Why This Course Stands Out

Comprehensive Scope

Covers fundamental principles, disease-specific findings, advanced modalities, and clinical applications.

Clinically Oriented

Focuses on practical interpretation and patient management.

Board Review Value

Excellent resource for cardiology, echocardiography, and cardiovascular imaging examination preparation.

Contemporary Content

Includes modern imaging techniques and emerging echocardiographic technologies.

Multispecialty Relevance

Useful for cardiology, critical care, emergency medicine, anesthesia, and internal medicine professionals.

TOPICS / SPEAKERS

General Principles

• Image Acquisition and Doppler Analysis – Prof. Dr. Jan D’hooge
• The Echo Exam – Maja Cikes, MD, PhD
• Clinical Indications and Quality Assurance – Rory B. Weiner, MD
• Ventricular Systolic Function – Scott D. Solomon, MD, and Maja Cikes, MD, PhD
• Ventricular Diastolic Filling and Function – Gerard P. Aurigemma, MD
• Hemodynamics in Echocardiography – Maja Cikes, MD, PhD
• Imaging the Atria with Echocardiography – Marta Sitges, MD, PhD

Disorders

• Coronary Artery Disease – Justina C. Wu, MD, PhD
• Echocardiography in Aortic Stenosis – Linda G. Gillam, MD, MPH, MACC, FASE
• Aortic Regurgitation – Hector I. Michelena, MD, FACC, FASE
• Mitral Stenosis – Rebecca T. Hahn, MD, FACC, FASE
• Mitral Regurgitation – Maurice Enriquez-Sarano, MD, FACC, FAHA
• Prosthetic Valves – Linda G. Gillam, MD, MPH, MACC, FASE
• Disease of the Myocardium – Maja Cikes, MD, PhD
• The Heart in Hypertension – Susan Cheng, MD, MMSc, MPH
• The Evaluation of Right Heart in Health and Disease – Judy R. Mangion, MD, FASE
• Pulmonary Embolism – Scott D. Solomon, MD
• Pericardial Disease – Christopher P. Appleton, MD
• Congenital Heart Disease – Keri Shafer, MD, FACC
• Cardiac Masses – Justina C. Wu, MD, PhD
• Diseases of the Aorta – Eric M. Isselbacher, MD, MSc
• Echocardiography in Infective Endocarditis – Linda D. Gillam, MD, MPH, MACC, FASE
• Heart Failure – Eric J. Velazquez, MD, FACP, FACC, FASE, FAHA
• Heart Disease Caused by Other Organ Systems – Susan Cheng, MD, MMSc, MPH
• Echocardiography in Cardio-Oncology – Bonnie Ky, MD, MSCE
• Imaging of Left Ventricular Assist Devices – Roberto M. Lang, MD

Modalities

• Stress Echocardiography – Patricia A. Pellikka, MD, FASE, FACC, FAHA
• Transesophageal Echocardiography – F. Mookadam, MD, FRCPC, FACC, MSc (HRM)
• Contrast Echocardiography – Jonathan R. Lindner, MD, FACC, FASE
• Three-Dimensional Echocardiography – Roberto M. Lang, MD
• Handheld Echocardiography – Faraz Pathan, MBBS
• Tissue Doppler and Strain Imaging – Theodore P. Abraham, MD, FASE
• Deformation Imaging – Thor Edvardsen, MD, PhD

Settings

Intraoperative Echocardiography – Douglas C. Shook, MD, FASE
Echocardiography in Structural Heart Disease and Interventions – Yee-Ping Sun, MD
Critical Care and Emergency Department Echocardiography – Elke Platz, MD, MS

Date of Original Release: January 31, 2020