JASE – Always Getting to the Heart of Echo

The February JASE contains, “Pediatric Heart Network Echocardiographic Z Scores: Comparison with Other Published Models,” by Leo Lopez, MD, FASE, et al. Dr. Lopez commented, “Echo Z-scores are used widely in pediatrics to determine normal reference ranges, but few data exist comparing the various Z-score models that have been published. This article highlights the differences among the most popular Z-score models (including the recently published Pediatric Heart Network Z-score model) as well as the limitations with using an individual model for specific therapeutic guidelines in various disease states.”

Additional clinical investigations in this issue focus on RVEF by 3D echo and its prognostic value, LV strain, exercise echocardiography, LA mechanics as markers of risk, and impact of appropriateness of an echo order. A state-of-the-art review explores usefulness of stress echo in the management of patients treated with anticancer drugs. Several brief research communications and letters to the editor round out the explorations.

February is American Heart Month, and ASE President Judy Hung, MD, FASE, has dedicated her President’s Message to our members, “The Heart of the ASE.” The ASE Education Calendar pulses with opportunities.

The JASE Submission Overview webinar, presented last Tuesday by JASE Editor-in-Chief, Michael Picard, MD, FASE, along with Associate Editor, Benjamin Eidem, MD, FASE, and Deputy Editor, Victor Mor-Avi, PhD, FASE, was a resounding success. The webinar slide sets, a succinct tutorial on creating an optimal submission, are housed on the JASE homepage, and the recorded webinar, which is free for members, is located on ASE’s Learning Hub.

January GEMs

During the month of January, two ASE members were recognized for Going the Extra Mile and received a GEM award!

  • Yvette Carvallo, RDCS, RVS, FASE
  • Christin Reese, RCS

Read what their nominators had to say about them!

Do you know an ASE member who’s gone the extra mile? Join us in celebrating ASE members who are making the world a better place, be it for their dedication to the field of cardiovascular ultrasound, being an outstanding mentor to students or fellows, their commitment to quality patient care, a milestone service anniversary, or congratulating them on a major accomplishment. Learn more about how to nominate someone here.

ASEF Announces Open Application Period for Innovation in Cardiovascular Ultrasound Research Grants

Applications are now being accepted for the Innovation in Cardiovascular Ultrasound Research Grants. The ASE Foundation is proud to offer two grants of up to $45,000 each for meritorious echocardiographic research proposals relevant to innovation in cardiovascular ultrasound. Of particular interest are proposals that expand the key role of echocardiography, or the development of novel technology, in clinical diagnosis or management. Applications are due by Monday, March 15, 2021 at 5:00 PM EDT. Full application details can be found here.

LIVE WEBINAR: Sonographer Professional Development with Live Q&A

Join us for a live webinar focusing on five important professional development topics for cardiac sonographers. Sonographer Professional Development, will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM EST. It will feature eight experts in the field, all with different backgrounds and career paths. Attendees will not only have the opportunity to learn from the legends, but will also be able to give feedback on future webinar topics.

This webinar will cover the basics of the following topics:

  • Resume vs. CV
  • “Echo Tech” vs. “Sonographer”
  • How to interview for the Echo Job
  • How to grow your Position
  • Benefits of FASE, BS, MS, or ACS

Registration is FREE for active ASE members. This activity does not offer CME credit.

  1. To register, login to your ASE member portal.
  2. Select the ASE Learning Hub from the top red menu.
  3. Register for the webinar here.

The webinar will also be posted afterward for on-demand viewing on the ASE Learning Hub. Questions? Please contact us by submitting an Education & Meetings Help Desk Ticket.

This webinar is a part of a series of webinars that highlight an ASE member benefit and offer attendees the opportunity to meet and interact with key ASE leaders. 

Abstract Deadline Extended to February 15, 2021

Don’t miss the opportunity to present at ASE’s 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions, June 18-21, 2021. Submit your abstract of original science or clinical case report to be considered for presentation at the premier cardiovascular ultrasound conference of the year.

Learn more here.

Deadline Approaching. Apply for the Pamela S. Douglas, MD, FASE Research Scholar Award

February 1 at 5:00 PM EST is the deadline to submit an application for the inaugural Pamela S. Douglas, MD, FASE Research Scholar Award. Do not miss out on this new research funding opportunity! Full submission details can be found online here.

The award will grant a one-year (12 months) scholarship of $75,000 USD to support a clinical or translational research fellow in advanced cardiovascular imaging. With the allocation of this support, young scholars will have protected time and the mentorship to pursue impactful research in cardiovascular ultrasound. This award was established to honor Dr. Pamela S. Douglas, ASE’s thirteenth President (2001-2003) and a true pioneer in the field of clinical research

For application inquiries or assistance, please contact ASE Deputy Director, Andrea M. Van Hoever, MSGH at AVanHoever@ASEcho.org.

22nd Annual ASCeXAM/ReASCE Review Course: Virtual Experience

Registration for the 2021 ASCeXAM/ReASCE Review Course opened today! This course is specifically designed to help you gain the knowledge you need to pass the ASCeXAM and ReASCE exams. Even if you are not taking the exam this year, this course offers comprehensive cardiovascular ultrasound education that includes 30 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.

ASE is offering online access to pre-recorded presentations of the entire course, including physics, beginning Saturday, May 8. You will have access to the PDF slides, along with the voice recordings, to view in your home or lab on-demand. Registrants will have unlimited on-demand access to the content through May 2, 2022.

This virtual CME review course will also include a live component. The expert faculty, led by Vera Rigolin, MD, FASE, and Muhamed Saric, MD, PhD, FASE, will host a live question & answer session. This live session will take place closer to the NBE exam date, and will be recorded and made available to all those who registered for the virtual event. More information on this session will be available early Spring 2021.

Registration will close July 31, 2021, but the earlier you register, the earlier you will have access to the content that will be available starting on May 8.

Download the programregister, and learn more at ASEcho.org/ReviewCourse. Questions? Please contact us by submitting an Education & Meetings Help Desk Ticket.

New ASE Industry Series Webinar Now Available

ASE is pleased to announce that a new special presentation webinar is now available on ASE Learning Hub.

This free, on-demand webinar, “AI Revolution: Making Echocardiography Greater, More Robust, and Rapid,” provided by ASE’s Industry Roundtable Partner GE Healthcare focuses on how artificial intelligence (AI) can help improve workflow efficiency and reproducibility. The first half of the webinar features examples of AI used in echocardiography and benefits of auto-measurement tools. The second half of the webinar highlights the right side of the heart specifically, reviewing right ventricular strain and 4D quantification with clinical cases.

The webinar features two outstanding speakers: Dr. Rebecca Perry and Professor Luigi P. Badano.

  1. Login to your ASE member portal.
  2. Select the ASE Learning Hub from the top red menu.
  3. Watch the webinar here or search “Industry Webinar” in the catalog.

Congratulations to Our Newest FASE

ASE recently welcomed 19 distinguished Fellows of the American Society of Echocardiography (FASE) designation recipients! These members have exemplified excellence through education, research, leadership, and volunteerism. They are ambassadors for ASE, and recognized experts in their field. Join us in congratulating the newest FASE recipients:

Tareq Abu Sharifeh, MD, FASE, Elvera L. Baron, MD, PhD, FASE, Brenton Scott Bauer, MD, FACC, FASE, Kiran Belani, MD, FASE. Nomita Bhawal, MD FASA, FASE, Doreen DeFaria Yeh, MD, FACC, FASE, John B. Dickey, MD, FASE, Chandler M. Dixon, RDCS, FASE, Hayley Engstrom, ACS, RDCS, FASE, Raktim Kumar Ghosh, MD, FASE, Chari YT Hart, MD, FACC, FASE, Katherine Holtmann, FASE, Lisa W Howley, MD, FASE, Scott H. McQuilkin, DO, MHPE, FASA, FASE, Kenneth Shelton, MD, FASE, Michael Sills, MD, Msc, FACC, FASE, Christine Marie Thomson, BS, FASE, Niranjan Waje, MD, FASE, Stephanie Ann Wells, BS, RDCS, RVT, RDMS, FASE

During 2020, ASE welcomed 153 new FASE! A full list of FASE members can be found on SeeMyHeart.org. If you are interested in applying for FASE and being recognized in the field, or would like more information, please visit ASEcho.org/FASE. The next deadline to apply is February 1, 2021. 

Next Twitter Journal Club – January 19

Are you on Twitter? Plan to join us for ASE’s next Twitter Journal Club as we review the articles, Etiology and Relevance of the Figure-of-Eight Artifact on Echocardiography after Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug and Color Doppler Splay: A Clue to the Presence of Significant Mitral Regurgitation. If you are not on Twitter, the Journal Club is a compelling reason to take the plunge!

This is a great way to get your questions answered and share your knowledge. Follow @ASE360 using hashtag #ASEchoJC. This event will be moderated by Twitter Journal Club Chair Dr. Ritu Thamman in conjunction with Drs. Vincent Sorrell, Rajesh Janardhanan, and Edward Gill on Tuesday, January 19, from 8:00 to 9:00 PM US EST.

As an ASE member, you can receive FREE CME for participating in this activity.

Register BEFORE the Twitter Journal Club to guarantee your free CME.

  1. To register, log in to your ASE member portal.
  2. Select the ASE Learning Hub from the top red menu.

Register for the event here.