Imaging (Echocardiography) for Echocardiography Practitioners

Module details

Title

Imaging (Echocardiography) for Echocardiography Practitioners

Module code

E-CS-S2

Credits

30

Phase

2

Requirement

Compulsory

Aim of this module

This module provides trainees with further knowledge in Cardiac Imaging. Trainees will perform cardiac imaging in a range of patients with cardiac disease, interact with patients and demonstrate safe, patient-centred practice. Trainees will build practical skills in setting up the equipment used, producing reports, interpreting results, explaining procedures to patients, and gaining consent, while developing and building their professional practice.

Training activities

Assessments

Complete 6 Case-Based Discussion

Complete 6 DOPS or OCE

Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles

• Demonstrate the use of a standalone continuous wave (CW) pencil probe to measure aortic valve flow from the right sternal edge and suprasternal notch.
• Quantify the degree of left ventricular dysfunction in a patient with regional wall motion abnormalities.
• Quantify the degree of mitral regurgitation using a range of echo derived data.
• Measure valve area using the continuity equation.
• Measure Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) in a patient in a cardio-oncology setting.

Observed Clinical Event Titles

• Communicate with a patient throughout the procedure to ensure they are comfortable and in an appropriate position.
• Demonstrate to a colleague how to set up equipment to their personal ergonomic requirements.
• Escalate a patient scan where action is required, communicating the results clearly to the clinical team as appropriate.

Learning outcomes

Activities

1. Attend a specialist valve clinic.
2. Observe a cardiac computerised tomography or magnetic resonance imaging procedure.
3. Observe results being communicated to patients for a variety of tests to appreciate the application of communication skills and the patient’s experience of their care.
4. Observe the use of 3D echocardiography and reflect on its applications, advantages, and disadvantages in the assessment of common pathologies for both transthoracic and trans-oesophageal echocardiography.
5. Observe the use of transoesophageal echocardiography in cardiac interventional procedures such as Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)/ASD/VSD closures, Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), Mitral valve (MV) clip, MV balloon valvotomy and paravalvular leak closures.
6. Observe the use of transoesophageal echocardiography for the investigation of Infective Endocarditis to appreciate its role in the diagnostic process including advantages compared to transthoracic echo.
7. Observe the use of stress echocardiography in the assessment of structural heart disease.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:

1. Critically appraise the application of ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of acquired and congenital cardiac disease.
2. Evaluate images from transthoracic echocardiography studies for a normal study and a range of cardiac pathophysiology.
3. Critically evaluate the role of cardiac ultrasound in the management of cardiac patients through appraisal of current literature.
4. Appraise the usefulness of echocardiography within the context of alternative cardiac imaging techniques.

Indicative content

• Models for delivering echocardiography services
• Health and safety issues in echocardiography incorporating reducing potential for work related musculoskeletal injuries
• Echo anatomy and physiology
• Normal echo findings
• Echo findings in:
  • Valve disease (including valve interventions)
  • Heart failure
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Inherited cardiac conditions
  • Simple adult congenital heart disease
  • Cardio-oncology Arrhythmias
  • Critically unwell patients
  • Endocarditis
  • Stroke
  • Pericardial disease

• Contrast echocardiography
• Writing a comprehensive echo report
• Overview of stress echocardiography
• Overview of transoesophageal echocardiography
• Overview of complementary and alternative cardiac imaging techniques