Archives for June 2022

Encouraging Research for Patients Suffering from Obstructive HCM Will Be Presented at ASE 2022

Research being presented at the American Society of Echocardiography’s 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions, June 10-13, 2022, in Seattle, Wash., will share encouraging findings where echocardiography was paramount in showing the effectiveness of a novel drug for patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM).

It wasn’t until the last three years that specific medical therapy existed for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)—a condition that causes the heart muscle to thicken and work harder than it should. A recent study examined how a novel cardiac myosin inhibitor drug, known as Aficamten, helped patients suffering from oHCM. Aficamten is one of two cardiac myosin inhibitor drugs currently in various stages of development. Read more here.

Innovations in Transthoracic Echocardiography Could Allow for Acquisition of 2D Images Through the Deconstruction of 3D Data Sets

A research study being presented at the American Society of Echocardiography’s (ASE) 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions, June 10-13, 2022, in Seattle, Wash., explores the benefits of conducting three-dimensional echocardiograms (3DE) and how the approach could eventually replace the standard practice of conventional two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE).

In the study, nearly 40 patients underwent a series of standard 2DE heart imaging. The same heart images were then extracted using 3DE data sets from the same patients. Comparing the pair of images, 3DE-derived measurements were able to be captured much faster than those obtained from conventional 2DE images and were potentially more accurate. Read more here.

New Study Looks to Improve Future Cardiovascular Prognosis in Pregnant Women with a History of Preeclampsia

A new study being presented this week at the American Society of Echocardiography’s (ASE) 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions in Seattle, Wash., suggests that your blood pressure during pregnancy may impact your long-term heart health.

The research, titled Echocardiographic Characterization of Long-Term Cardiac Function in Women with Preeclampsia, focuses on the heart’s left ventricular mechanics and explores if its function might help explain the mechanisms of the heart that cause long-term cardiovascular conditions in women with preeclampsia. Learn more here.

Innovative Cardiovascular Ultrasound Solutions Showcased at ASE 2022

The U.S. launch of software to revolutionize the cardiology imaging workflow and an FDA-cleared disposable camera that seamlessly connects to Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) probes are just two of the exciting new releases being featured in the Echo Expo exhibit hall at the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions, June 10-13, 2022, at the Seattle Convention Center.

Nearly 50 companies and organizations will display their latest products and services including revolutionary microbubble generators, demonstrations of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for increased speed, efficiency and accuracy, and solutions for creating a safe and ergonomic work environment. ASE 2022 is the world’s premier meeting for cardiovascular ultrasound practitioners and promises a wealth of cutting-edge education, research and the latest vendor technology.

The President’s Reception, honoring Raymond Stainback, MD, FASE, from Texas Heart Institute, on Saturday, June 11, 4:00-6:00 PM, will kick-off the opening of the Echo Expo exhibit and poster hall. The Expo will also be open Sunday, June 12, 9:00 AM to 2:45 PM and Monday, June 13, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Read highlights from the show floor, as reported in their own words by the vendors.

ASE’s HCM Guideline in June JASE

The June JASE includes, “Recommendations for Multimodality Cardiovascular Imaging of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: An Update from the American Society of Echocardiography, in Collaboration with the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography,” from Sherif F. Nagueh, MD, FASE, et al. Dr. Nagueh noted that “Updated content in this HCM guideline includes the use of multimodality imaging for the evaluation of patients with left ventricular hypertrophy utilizing new techniques with echocardiography and CMR. There is a new section on the evaluation of HCM patients with ischemia. Other sections that have been updated include role of imaging in the risk stratification of patients for sudden cardiac death.”

Clinical investigations explore vegetation size and surgery in infective endocarditis, pericardial fat and cardiac function, atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation, 3D echocardiography in cardio-oncology, feasibility, reproducibility and prognostic value of automated measurement of RV strain and arterial stiffness and cardiac function in youth-onset diabetes. Papers on pediatric echocardiography explore speckle tracking in children during and after chemotherapy for cardiotoxicity assessment and global longitudinal strain in the single RV.

A response to a Letter to the Editor notes that timely identification of hospitalized patients at risk for COVID-19-associated right heart failure should be a major goal of echocardiographic surveillance in the disease.

The President’s Message from Raymond Stainback, MD, FASE, which is his final communication as he hands the reins over to his successor, looks at his year as the President of ASE, and will give ASE members numerous reasons to be proud of what has been achieved and what is still to come. The continuing education and meeting calendar outlines a multitude of learning options near and far.

ASE and IEEE UFFC to Co-host a Hackathon on New Ultrasound Technology for Critical Care Continuous Monitoring

ASE is pleased to announce collaborative efforts with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Society (IEEE UFFC-S), to co-host a Hackathon on June 14, 2022, in Seattle, Washington. Coinciding with ASE’s Scientific Sessions, and chaired by Carol Mitchell, PhD, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, RT(R), ACS, FASE, the joint initiative will bring together experts from their respective fields to work together toward advancing diagnostic ultrasound technology to support continuous monitoring of patients in critical care.

Read more here.

Calling All Future Leaders: ASE Leadership Academy Application Now Open

Are you interested in becoming a future leader in ASE or know someone who might be interested? Now is the time to apply for a position in the 2022-2024 class of the ASE Leadership Academy.

This program provides a unique opportunity for ASE members to increase their knowledge and develop a skill set that will help them in their careers and personal life. During this 20-month program, participants will be matched with a senior adviser, acquire a personalized evaluation of their leadership aptitude, and receive high-quality, online tutorials on leadership topics valued at over $7,500.

Applications and recommendation letters are being accepted through August 1, 2022. Questions? Email LeadershipAcademy@ASEcho.org.