Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound has the potential to improve patient care, but its application to children requires consideration of anatomic and physiologic differences from adult populations, and corresponding technical aspects of performance. This new guideline, Recommendations for Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Children, is the product of an American Society of Echocardiography task force composed of representatives from pediatric cardiology, pediatric critical care medicine, pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric anesthesiology, and others, assembled to provide expert guidance.

This diverse group aimed to identify common considerations across disciplines to guide evolution of indications, and to identify common requirements and infrastructure necessary for optimal performance, training, and quality assurance in the practice of cardiac point-of-care ultrasound in children. The recommendations presented are intended to facilitate collaboration among subspecialties and with pediatric echocardiography laboratories by identifying key considerations regarding (1) indications, (2) imaging recommendations, (3) training and competency assessment, and (4) quality assurance. Read more here.

The role of echocardiography in detection and evaluation of valvular heart disease is a focus topic of the January 2023 JASE, now online. This issue also includes ASE’s newest guideline, “Recommendations for the Use of Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Rheumatic Heart Disease,” from Pandian et al.

Patricia A. Pellikka, MD, FASE, who begins her tenure as JASE Editor-in-Chief with this first issue of 2023, said that she chose the focus topic to coincide with the publication of the guideline, putting out a call for papers last summer. Read Dr. Pellikka’s first Editor’s page, which offers insights on several of the clinical investigations. Editorials, brief research communications, and correspondence in this issue also provide further insights on echocardiography in valvular heart disease. The guideline is the January CME article.

The President’s Message from Stephen H. Little, MD, FASE, shares the history of ASE’s Leadership Academy, which was developed by the Governance Committee “to provide a way to engage our early and mid-career members to develop their leadership skills.” If you missed the prior announcement of those who were recently accepted into the third cohort of the LA, meet them in his message! The continuing education and meeting calendar outlines a multitude of learning options near and far.

ASE is partnering with Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) to present education on topics that touch echocardiographers and the cardiovascular nursing team. The goal of this partnership is to share learning, perspectives, and communicate the challenges and opportunities around patient identification and management that impact both communities.

Sharing expertise across team members can provide each member with a deeper understanding of issues in various cardiovascular diseases. ASE is committed to working across the field of cardiovascular health to impact better patient care. We hope that by identifying synergies with groups like PCNA that have similar challenges and a different perspective, we can bridge gaps and build understandings for all practitioners.

LEARN MORE

ASE would like to thank Congress for passage of the Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy (CAROL) Act (H.R. 1193/S. 1133). ASE was pleased to support this bipartisan legislation. Senators McConnell and Sinema introduced the Senate companion legislation to Congressman Barr’s House legislation, which will help heart patients through expanded research, education, and investments into valvular heart disease.

According to the CDC, valvular heart disease affects 2.5% of the U.S. population. As many as 11 million Americans are living with heart valve disease and, each year, five million additional Americans are diagnosed with it. The CAROL Act pledges the necessary investments in research and prevention to aid the millions of American lives affected by this disease. We thank leaders in the House and Senate for their partnership in getting this bill done.

The ASE Foundation is ecstatic to share that we have already surpassed our $30,000 fundraising goal! Thank you to the 109 donors who have contributed a total of $32,457.94 as of this afternoon.

We may have reached our goal, but we are not done! The Foundation is still accepting donations towards its GivingTuesday fundraiser until December 3, so if you have not already done so—it is not too late to donate! Every donation brings us closer to our 2022 Annual Appeal goal of $225,000.

An investment in the ASE Foundation is a testament of support in the future of cardiovascular ultrasound. Wherever your heart lies in our field, ASEF is making a difference. Show us #YourPriority with a donation to the initiative that most aligns with your passion. If you would like to make a donation to support a 2023 Global Outreach Travel Grant in memory of Greg Tatum, MD, FASE, please indicate that your donation is in his memory on the donation form.

100% of your donation will go toward charitable projects in 2023. Thank you for showing us that supporting the future of cardiovascular ultrasound is #YourPriority. Together we will continue to make a world of difference!

Hello, and Happy GivingTuesday! The ASE Foundation is thrilled to participate in this global giving movement for the 10th year in a row. To mark the occasion, we set an ambitious fundraising goal of $30,000. Will you join the movement and help us reach our goal?

Follow this link to make your donation today. Your contribution to the ASE Foundation is an investment in the future of cardiovascular ultrasound and directly impacts the scope and success of our 2023 initiatives. No matter where your heart lies, the Foundation can support your passion and you can take pride in knowing that 100% of your donation goes back out into the field.

On this special day, we ask that you remember the ASE Foundation. Donations towards our $30,000 fundraising goal will be accepted through December 3. When you donate, let us know what inspired your contribution on social media. Remember to include #GivingTuesday and tag @ASE360.