Course Overview
The American Society of Echocardiography 27th Annual ASCeXAM/ReASCE Review Course delivers a comprehensive and intensive educational experience focused on the full spectrum of cardiovascular ultrasound and echocardiographic practice. Designed to support certification and recertification preparation, the course combines foundational principles with advanced clinical applications to strengthen diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making.
Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of echocardiographic interpretation, ultrasound physics, hemodynamic assessment, valvular heart disease evaluation, congenital and structural heart disease, and emerging imaging technologies. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, practical application, and current guideline-driven approaches relevant to modern cardiovascular imaging.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate right and left ventricular hemodynamics, including systolic and diastolic function assessment using echocardiography.
- Assess and quantify native and prosthetic valvular heart disease, including stenosis and regurgitation.
- Apply advanced imaging modalities such as 3D echocardiography, deformation imaging, stress echocardiography, and contrast echocardiography in clinical practice.
- Understand the core principles of ultrasound and Doppler physics, image optimization, artifact recognition, and key diagnostic formulas.
- Identify echocardiographic manifestations of cardiomyopathies, systemic diseases, congenital anomalies, and myocardial infarction complications.
- Enhance clinical interpretation skills for complex cardiovascular conditions through case-based review and practical imaging concepts.
Target Audience
This course is designed for:
- Cardiologists
- Echocardiographers
- Cardiology Fellows
- Sonographers
- Cardiovascular Imaging Specialists
- Physicians preparing for echocardiography certification or recertification examinations
- Healthcare professionals seeking advanced updates in cardiovascular ultrasound
Course Topics Breakdown
Foundations of Echocardiography
- Normal transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examination
- Doppler echocardiography and normal flow patterns
- Normal transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination
- Probe insertion, manipulation, risks, and complications
- Spectral Doppler and M-mode echocardiography
- Handheld echocardiography applications
Hemodynamics and Ventricular Function
- Right and left ventricular hemodynamics
- Global and regional systolic function
- Remodeling, hypertrophy, and ventricular mass
- Diastolic function evaluation and normal aging changes
- Right ventricular assessment
Ultrasound Physics and Imaging Principles
- Basic ultrasound physics
- Doppler physics fundamentals
- Imaging concepts and knobology
- Artifact recognition and interpretation
- Essential formulas for echocardiography examinations
Valvular Heart Disease
- Mitral stenosis
- Degenerative and functional mitral valve disease
- Hemodynamic assessment of mitral regurgitation
- Mitral valve prosthesis evaluation
- Aortic stenosis and its variants
- Quantitation of aortic regurgitation
- Evaluation of aortic prostheses
- Tricuspid and pulmonary valve disease
Advanced Echocardiographic Techniques
- Deformation imaging
- Stress echocardiography
- Contrast echocardiography
- Interventional echocardiography
- 3D echocardiographic applications
Cardiomyopathies and Systemic Disorders
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Athlete’s heart
- Echocardiography in systemic disease
- Heart failure imaging
- Left ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation
Structural and Congenital Heart Disease
- Adult congenital heart disease
- Simple and complex congenital anomalies
- Fetal echocardiography fundamentals
- Pregnancy and heart disease
Pericardial and Aortic Disease
- Pericardial disease evaluation
- Constriction versus restriction
- Diseases of the aorta
Emergency and Complex Clinical Applications
- Endocarditis and associated complications
- Cardiac masses and embolic sources
- Complications of myocardial infarction
Educational Benefits
Participants will benefit from:
- Comprehensive board review preparation
- Evidence-based cardiovascular imaging education
- Advanced echocardiographic interpretation strategies
- Practical guidance for clinical application
- Exposure to complex and challenging imaging cases
- Enhanced proficiency in contemporary echocardiographic techniques
Professional Development
This course supports continuing professional education and helps cardiovascular imaging professionals maintain and advance competency in modern echocardiographic practice through an in-depth review of current standards, diagnostic approaches, and advanced imaging methodologies.
