Archives for August 2020

The latest issue of CASE, ASE’s online case reports journal, is available and contains, “Clot in Transit on Transesophageal Echocardiography in a Prone Patient with COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome,” by James M. Horowitz, MD, Eugene Yuriditsky, MD, Ian J. Henderson, MD, Maxine Wallis Stachel, MD, Benjamin Kwok, MD, and Muhamed Saric, MD, PhD, FASE. Lead author Dr. Horowitz said, “Thrombotic events are common among patients with COVID-19. A high index of suspicion for pulmonary embolism should be maintained among patients with respiratory or hemodynamic decompensation. We reported a clot-in-transit in such a case using transesophageal echocardiography allowing for immediate bedside diagnosis with the patient maintained in prone position.”

Takotsubo cardiomyopathies, rheumatic heart disease, transesophageal surgical situations, anatomic anomalies, masses, myxomas, thrombus, and interventional image guidance (both in human and animal patients) are other topics explored. One of the interventional image guidance cases looks at the novel use of echo fusion and cardiac computed tomographic imaging guidance for percutaneous paravalvular leak closure and comes from Lucy M. Safi, DO, FASE, FACC, et al.

CASE is a valuable tool for mentors, educators, and sonographers to utilize while elevating everyone’s detective abilities. CASE co-Editors-in-Chief, L. Leonardo Rodriguez, MD, FASE, and Karen G. Zimmerman, BS, ACS, RDCS, RVT, FASE, are very grateful to the all the authors and reviewers who have dedicated their time and effort to helping CASE continue its mission of publishing high-quality educational content. “We hope that the CASE community remains safe and engaged as we move forward in uncharted waters.”

CASE always wants to hear from readers and potential authors with opinions and questions. Don’t hesitate to email managing editor, Deborah Meyer at DMeyer@ASEcho.org.

Thank you to everyone who submitted images for the ASE 2021 Image Calendar Competition. Now it is time to vote for your favorite images to be featured in a colorful, 12-month calendar that will be sent to all members who renew by December 31, 2020. Help your friends and colleagues win by voting today.

To vote for your favorite echo images:

1. Login to Connect@ASE.
2. Browse the images uploaded in the  ASE 2021 Calendar Contest Image Library.
3. Click each image to view.
4. Give the “thumbs up” to as many images as you would like. The thumbs up button is located below the title of the image and author.

Each thumbs up counts as one vote. If you have any questions, please contact ASE at ACooper@ASEcho.org. Your input helps to create a beautiful and interesting 2021 image calendar

Durham, NC, August 8, 2020 – The World Alliance of Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) Normal Values Study is a cross-sectional study designed to obtain universal global reference ranges for both 2D and 3D echocardiographic (2DE, 3DE) data to identify geographical differences in echocardiographic measurements. Launched in 2016, the WASE study prospectively enrolled healthy individuals free from cardiac, lung, and kidney disease from 19 centers in 15 countries.

A new research study, using the data collected in the WASE study, examined the 2DE images and 3DE full-volume datasets obtained in a total of 1026 adults (351 non-Asian and 675 Asian), analyzed offline in two Core Labs. First author on the research, Laurie Soulat-Dufour, said of the findings, “Currently there is a paucity of data on 2D and 3D right atrial dimensions in the literature. Our results suggest that normal reference values for 2D and 3D end-systolic right atrial volumes are not universal and that population specific normal values should be established for different geographic groups.” Read more here.

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) will host its 31st Annual Scientific Sessions as a Virtual Experience online August 8-10, 2020. Over 350 posters featuring cutting-edge research on the advances in cardiovascular ultrasound will be presented. A special group of investigators were selected as the ASE Foundation’s Top 20. These early career abstract presenters were selected by the Scientific Sessions Program Committee Abstract Chairs based on the scientific merit of their research projects and were awarded complimentary registration to the ASE 2020 Virtual Experience from the Foundation.

Michael Main, MD, FASE, from Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, MO, and ASE 2020 Abstract Chair said, “The abstracts selected for presentation at our Scientific Sessions represent the very best cardiovascular imaging research in the United States—and around the world. The breadth and depth of these presentations is truly remarkable, and includes novel applications of advanced technologies such as three-dimensional imaging, ultrasound enhancing agents, and artificial intelligence in both pediatric and adult populations.” Read more here.

Two research studies being presented at the ASE 2020 Virtual Experience, August 8-10, 2020, highlight the use of artificial intelligence (AI) software to provide real-time guidance to users with no prior training in ultrasound acquisition.  Read more here.

From point of care ultrasound that has been a key technology during the COVID-19 pandemic to robust technology that is enhancing efficiency and clinical care, over 20 companies and organizations will display their latest products and services at the world’s premier meeting for cardiovascular ultrasound practitioners, the ASE 2020 Virtual Experience. This virtual event, which promises a wealth of cutting edge education, research, and the latest vendor technology, is taking place August 8-10, 2020. Read more here.