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.

Echo magazine is transitioning from a monthly online publication to bi-monthly (every other month), publishing six times each year. ASE’s Executive Committee approved this production change recommended by the Publications Committee to begin after the June 2024 issue. The next issue will publish in August instead of July.

The magazine is an outlet for all active ASE members to contribute interesting articles or images related to cardiovascular ultrasound that are not research-related, and also includes communications from the ASE President, Councils, and Specialty Interest Groups, as well as ASE Education Calendar.

The next submission deadline for the October 2024 issue is August 15. Review author guidelines, and email questions and potential article topics to Echo@ASEcho.org.

The Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE) is accepting submissions for two special Focus Issues: Right Heart and Pulmonary Hypertension and Diastolic Function. We invite you to submit original research studies, reviews, letters, and brief research communications on any aspect of echocardiography in the assessment of either the right heart and pulmonary hypertension or diastolic function. These issues will be published in early 2025 alongside ASE’s new guidelines on each respective topic. In line with our core values at JASE, we welcome multi-disciplinary collaborations (e.g. sonographers, nurses, physicians, scientists).

Submissions for the Right Heart and Pulmonary Hypertension Focus Issue are due to the JASE Editorial Manger by August 1, 2024. Please note in your cover letter that the submission is for the Right Heart Issue.

Submissions for the Diastolic Function Focus Issue are due to the JASE Editorial Manager by August 30, 2024. Please note in your cover letter that the submission is for the Diastolic Function Issue.

Questions? Email ASE’s Director of Publications Debbie Meyer.

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a future ASE leader? Apply now for a spot in the 2024-2026 ASE Leadership Academy. Applications and recommendation letters will be accepted through August 1, 2024.

ASE is committed to the professional growth of its members, and this program provides a unique opportunity for members to increase their knowledge and develop skills that will help them be successful leaders throughout their careers. Over 19 months, participants will be paired with a senior adviser and gain access to high quality online tutorials on leadership, valued at over $7,500! Questions? Email LeadershipAcademy@ASEcho.org.

Read what Cohort 3 graduates had to say about this unique ASE program!

The ASE 2024 Scientific Sessions: Online Library is available to purchase in the ASE Learning Hub. Get unlimited online access for three years to recordings from the main six rooms from this year’s Scientific Sessions. The Library includes special sessions like the Echo World Cup; ShowCASE; and the Young Investigator’s and Sonographer Research Award Competitions. As a sneak peak, you can view the Feigenbaum and Edler lectures on ASE’s YouTube channel today. Live audio, screen capture with animation, mouse pointer, and embedded videos will be included from all sessions (excluding the DIY Workshops and Learning Labs). This product does not offer CME/MOC credit.

ASE members save $100! Remember to log in to your ASE Member Portal to receive the discounted member price of $299 ($399 for nonmembers)!

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!

1. Log in to Connect@ASE using your ASE username (email address) and password.
2. Using the left navigation, scroll to Libraries and click Image Library.
3. Click the folder named ASE 2025 Calendar Contest.
4. Click Upload Resource under Folder Contents to upload your image(s). Image file size cannot exceed 30 MB. Remember to include a title and brief description of your image(s).