This advanced course is designed to provide the clinician and advanced sonographer with an update on transthoracic, stress, and transesophageal echocardiography as well as cardiac CT and MRI.  It is not a "how-to" course, but instead will concentrate on the application of these modalities to clinical decision making.

The program consists primarily of clinical cases which illustrate the problems cardiovascular specialists commonly encounter.  Multiple choice questions addressing the clinical utility and limitations of echocardiography follow each case.  In addition, faculty presents “rapid fire” and “unknown” cases.  The audience is also encouraged to bring unknown cases which will be shown during the sessions.

Special breakout sessions are devoted to the interpretation of Doppler hemodynamics, diastolic function, stress echocardiography, congenital heart disease, interventional and perioperative echocardiography.

Learning Objectives

Upon conclusion of this program, participants should be able to:

• Optimize selection of imaging modalities to aid in clinical decision making for evaluation and management of patients with valvular heart disease;
• Identify normal and abnormal features of patients with prosthetic valves;
• Identify the pitfalls of interpretation with exercise and dobutamine stress echocardiography;
• Apply Doppler hemodynamics into clinical decision-making in patients with heart failure symptoms with both normal and abnormal systolic function;
• Use a systematic approach to echocardiography for patients with complex congenital heart disease;
• Recite the utility of echocardiography in patients with acute ischemic syndromes and other acute illnesses requiring admission to the intensive care unit; and
• Identify common indications and potential pitfalls for intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.

Attendance at this Mayo course does not indicate nor guarantee competence or proficiency in the performance of any procedures which may be discussed or taught in this course.