Archives for August 2024

The latest issue of CASE is now available with intriguing reports, including “To Drain or Not to Drain? Pericardial Decompression Syndrome.” CASE Editor-in-Chief Vincent Sorrell, MD, FASE, remarked, “Mathias et al. help educate readers on the lesser known post-pericardiocentesis complication of pericardial decompression syndrome. They reported their findings on a complex 59-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities including acute chronic kidney disease, acidosis, hyperkalemia, atrial fibrillation treated with warfarin, pulmonary hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy with remote ventricular tachycardia, and a large pericardial effusion with worsening hypotension. The patient had a markedly elevated international normalized ratio (INR 11) and TTE findings of tamponade. Despite urgent pericardial drainage of 600cc bloody fluid, their hemodynamic status continued to deteriorate, and the patient did not survive. The authors do an excellent job describing their thorough evaluation, approach to management, and potential underlying mechanisms, including acute pericardial decompression syndrome. Additionally, the authors provide readers with steps for when to consider this rare syndrome and how to manage this with the goal toward a different clinical outcome.”

This Pericardial Pathologies report follows two cases in the Congenital Heart Disease category, including findings from a high-risk, anomalous left main coronary in a young patient with a complicated post-operative course. The other details the clinical and hemodynamic improvements of an ASD closure in an elderly patient with complex cardiovascular disease. Allow Echo Innovation to expand your sonic insights with Basit et al.’s collection of multimodality imaging findings in a case of RCA to SVC fistula. 3D TEE transillumination is used to identify a papillary fibroelastoma on the aortic valve in a highly detailed report from Gentile et al.

Contrary to the rare findings CASE often publishes, Dr. Sorrell’s editorial hones in on what it really means to mark a study as “normal.” Included is a table of 24 common cardiovascular findings that should be routinely reported in a normal study depending on the imaging modality.

Looking for a journal to submit your case report to? We want to hear from you! Email us with questions or submit your report today.

Now is your opportunity to become a leader in the ASE Foundation! We are seeking dedicated members to join the ASE Foundation Board of Directors, a 10-person governing board charged with supervision and direction of the affairs of the ASE Foundation. Currently, we are accepting nominations for the Chair position, which is a three-year term beginning in January 2025.

If you are an active member who meets the criteria outlined for the position, ask a friend or colleague who is also an ASE member to submit a nomination on your behalf. The deadline for candidates to submit all required materials is August 30, 2024. This position is open to any member regardless of their specialty, and ASE is looking for a diverse pool of nominees. Contact Nominations@ASEcho.org with questions.

ASE members save $100 on the ASE 2024 Scientific Sessions: Online Library! Get unlimited online access for three years to recordings from the main six rooms from this year’s Scientific Sessions. The Library includes popular sessions like the Echo World Cup; ShowCASE; the Young Investigator’s and Sonographer Research Award Competitions; and all four special lectures!

Live audio, screen capture with animation, mouse pointer, and embedded videos are included from all sessions (excluding the DIY Workshops and Learning Labs). This product does not offer CME/MOC credit.

There are just two weeks left to register for this year’s Echo Florida™ for the best rate. Individuals who register by September 7 can save up to $225! Join expert faculty—led by Course Director Matt M. Umland, ACS, RDCS, FASE, and Course Co-Director Vincent L. Sorrell, MD, FASE—from October 12-14 for a comprehensive review of echocardiography!

This year’s new interactive format enables attendees to practice measurements on their own laptop, and there is an opportunity to sign up for small group workshops for a hands-on learning experience (included with registration, but you must pre-register). Log in to the ASE Member Portal before registering to also receive your member registration discount!

After you register, book your discounted hotel room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This timeless Victorian-style Disney Resort features exquisite dining options, two pools, a full-service spa, and is located just one stop to Magic Kingdom park on the complimentary Resort Monorail. Attendees staying at the Grand Floridian will enjoy both comfort and convenience with no need to travel to another venue—everything takes place under one roof. ASE’s room block is filling up fast!

The latest issue of CASE is now available with intriguing reports, including “To Drain or Not to Drain? Pericardial Decompression Syndrome.” CASE Editor-in-Chief Vincent Sorrell, MD, FASE, remarked, “Mathias et al. help educate readers on the lesser known post-pericardiocentesis complication of pericardial decompression syndrome. They reported their findings on a complex 59-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities including acute chronic kidney disease, acidosis, hyperkalemia, atrial fibrillation treated with warfarin, pulmonary hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy with remote ventricular tachycardia, and a large pericardial effusion with worsening hypotension. The patient had a markedly elevated international normalized ratio (INR 11) and TTE findings of tamponade. Despite urgent pericardial drainage of 600cc bloody fluid, their hemodynamic status continued to deteriorate, and the patient did not survive. The authors do an excellent job describing their thorough evaluation, approach to management, and potential underlying mechanisms, including acute pericardial decompression syndrome. Additionally, the authors provide readers with steps for when to consider this rare syndrome and how to manage this with the goal toward a different clinical outcome.”

This Pericardial Pathologies report follows two cases in the Congenital Heart Disease category, including findings from a high-risk, anomalous left main coronary in a young patient with a complicated post-operative course. The other details the clinical and hemodynamic improvements of an ASD closure in an elderly patient with complex cardiovascular disease. Allow Echo Innovation to expand your sonic insights with Basit et al.’s collection of multimodality imaging findings in a case of RCA to SVC fistula. 3D TEE transillumination is used to identify a papillary fibroelastoma on the aortic valve in a highly detailed report from Gentile et al.

Contrary to the rare findings CASE often publishes, Dr. Sorrell’s editorial hones in on what it really means to mark a study as “normal.” Included is a table of 24 common cardiovascular findings that should be routinely reported in a normal study depending on the imaging modality.

Looking for a journal to submit your case report to? We want to hear from you! Email us with questions or submit your report today.

The August issue of JASE includes, “Artificial Intelligence Assessment of Biological Age From Transthoracic Echocardiography: Discrepancies with Chronologic Age Predict Significant Excess Mortality.” Author Kobi Faierstein, MD, remarks, “Age estimation using deep-learning models is associated with an increased risk of mortality. It also has the potential to enhance POCUS devices, enabling improved risk stratification and supports the concept of computer-assisted diagnosis of heart diseases and non-cardiac conditions at the point of care.”

In addition to this report, readers can look forward to six other clinical investigations on an assortment of topics. These topics include: echocardiography in transgender patients and their distinct stress echo profiles compared to their age-matched cisgender counterparts; progression of mitral annulus calcification to mitral valve dysfunction and its impact on mortality; exercise echo in HFpEF; mitral geometry of LV outflow tract obstruction in HCM; a longitudinal study on the use of echo in Fabry disease and its outcomes; and the accuracy of 3D echo shunt volumes in patients with an atrial septal defect and a dilated RV.

Editorial comments accompany the first five clinical investigations, and a brief research communication on the merits of measuring linear LV mass with M-mode versus 2D linear measurements rounds out this issue.

Guest written by a few dedicated ASE sonographers, this month’s President’s Message reviews the historical and current level of sonographer engagement within ASE. “The State of Cardiac Sonography  ̶  A Fifty-Year Unique Partnership” looks to the future challenges and aspirations of growing the role of sonographers at ASE, a key goal of the current ASE President, Dr. Theodore Abraham. for his term.

Be sure to check out our Author Spotlight page for interviews between JASE Editor-in-Chief Patricia Pellikka, MD, FASE, and authors of recently published papers. This month features Rekha Mankad, MD, FASE, discussing her article, “Transgender Women Exhibit a Distinct Stress Echocardiography Profile Compared With Age-Matched Cisgender Counterparts: The Mayo Clinic Women’s Heart Clinic Experience.”

Please see the August ASE Education Calendar for a listing of educational opportunities far and wide.

The ASE Echo Image Calendar is a popular member renewal gift showcasing unique cardiovascular images captured by ASE members. Now through August 7, ASE members are encouraged to submit their echo images for the 2025 Image Calendar Contest.

You can upload as many images as you would like, but only one image per member will be featured in the calendar. Voting for the images to be included in the colorful, 12-month calendar will take place August 8 through September 9.

ASE supports the cardiovascular ultrasound community through recognition of outstanding service, research, and training. A benefit of ASE membership is the ability to nominate deserving colleagues for prestigious ASE Awards. Email the ASE Awards Committee by September 15, 2024, to nominate a friend, colleague, peer, or mentor.

ASE’s 2024 Advanced Imaging Techniques: A Virtual Experience will focus on the practical how-to techniques of advanced Strain, Contrast, and 3D Imaging. A strong emphasis will be placed on data acquisition and analysis of raw datasets. The two-day, online course will feature a clinically applicable program aimed at the sonographer/practitioner directly involved in advanced echocardiography imaging.

Last year’s attendees praised the practical applications taught by expert faculty, and the detail and relevancy of the course content. Registrants can earn up to 6 CME/MOC credits.