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New ASE Guideline Outlines Training Standards for Interventional Echocardiography
The guideline provides comprehensive recommendations for training interventional echocardiographers and defines clear standards for training programs
(DURHAM, NC, April 4, 2023)—Interventional echocardiography (IE) is the primary imaging modality used to support and guide structural heart disease (SHD) interventions, such as heart valve replacements and other cardiac catheterization procedures. Successful medical outcomes are highly dependent upon the skill of the echocardiography team. A new guideline document from the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) outlines clear and uniform training standards to help increase the number of skilled interventional echocardiographers and improve patients’ access to quality care.
Recommendations for Special Competency in Echocardiographic Guidance of Structural Heart Disease Interventions: From the American Society of Echocardiography provides guidance on all critical aspects of training for cardiology and anesthesiology trainees and post-graduate echocardiographers who plan to specialize in IE. The document outlines the requirements of the training institution, the duration and core competencies of training, minimal procedural volume for competency in IE, and knowledge of specific SHD procedures.
“SHD interventions rely on echocardiography before, during and after procedures,” says ASE’s President and Co-Chair of the guideline writing group, Stephen H. Little, MD, FASE. “IE techniques are unique since imaging is performed in real-time, it is highly dependent on 3D and non-standard views, and it has immediate and profound implications for patient management. Additionally, IE requires candid, accurate and timely communication with other members of the multidisciplinary SHD team.”
The document addresses core competencies common to all transcatheter therapies, as well as specific transcatheter procedures. A core principle is that the length of IE training and achieved procedure volumes are less important than the demonstration of procedure-specific competencies within the milestone domains of knowledge, skill and communication.
“Transcatheter therapies for SHD continue to grow at a rapid pace, which means that the demand for skilled interventional echocardiographers has steadily increased,” added Vera H. Rigolin, MD, FASE, Co-Chair of the guideline writing group. “Training standards are needed to ensure that interventional echocardiographers have the necessary expertise to provide fast, accurate and high-quality image acquisition and interpretation in real-time.”
This document is endorsed by 21 ASE International Alliance Partners and is published in the April 2023 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. View all ASE Guidelines by visiting ASEcho.org/Guidelines.
About American Society of Echocardiography
The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is the Society for Cardiovascular Ultrasound Professionals™. ASE is the largest global organization for cardiovascular ultrasound imaging serving physicians, sonographers, nurses, veterinarians, and scientists and as such is the leader and advocate, setting practice standards and guidelines for the field. The Society is committed to advancing cardiovascular ultrasound to improve lives. For more information, visit ASE’s website ASEcho.org or social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
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