Basic Echocardiography Hands on Training Course

Course details

In recent years, fetal echocardiography has been used for the screening and diagnosis of anatomical heart defects and for the detailed study of fetal cardiac function. This method is characterized by its easy implementation and good reproducibility, allowing the diagnosis of myocardial dysfunction even in its subclinical phase. The functional assessment of the fetal heart should be routinely performed in fetuses with congenital heart disease and those without anatomical malformation. Several extra-cardiac conditions may alter fetal cardiac function, by increased placental resistance, volume overload or hyperdynamic circulation, compression, or maternal systemic disease with involvement of the fetal myocardium.

This workshop addresses the main ultrasound techniques and various Doppler echocardiographic parameters available for the analysis of fetal heart function, and correlates them with clinical applicability. Various parameters available for the assessment of fetal myocardium, including those that evaluate atrial dynamics, can be used in this analysis and should be selected considering specific conditions. 

Learning Objectives

• Identify when functional assessment should be used.
• Analyze the fetal heart function.
• Discuss the factors which may alter fetal cardiac functions.
• Discuss detailed knowledge of fetal cardiac function.
• Analyze fetal echocardiography method.
• Discuss and gain more knowledge with the main ultrasound techniques and Doppler echocardiographic parameters.

• Lectures will include discussion of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart during the First week of Life and what is Echography
• How to access Echography, views, different uses
• Identify each of the Conotruncal Anomalies, signs, symptoms, and the diagnostic characteristics 
• Workshop will include 45 minutes' hand-on training

• Cardiovascular Technologist
• Diagnostic Radiology
• Intensive Care / Critical care Medicine
• Medical Diagnostic Imaging
• Pathology