Archives for May 2025

The latest issue of CASE is now available with intriguing reports, including “The Use of Bedside Transesophageal Echocardiography to Relieve Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.” CASE Editor-in-Chief Vincent Sorrell, MD, FASE, remarked, “Although well-known in various critical care and intensivist circles, the role of TEE during cardiac resuscitation is less familiar to many adult cardiologists. Bundy et al. used CASE as an educational tool to demonstrate the value of this diagnostic approach. They carefully obtained high quality TEE images of the LV in an apical long axis view during active chest compressions. In this view, they could show the impact of hand position on aortic valve opening and stroke volume. With TEE guidance, these authors were able to demonstrate aortic valve compression and LVOT obstruction when chest compressions are performed over the aortic root. By moving the location of chest compressions, they reveal unobstructed LVOT with consistent aortic valve opening. Although you may not ever use TEE during CPR, these authors provide compelling insights into the successful performance of cardiac resuscitation and the importance of hand positioning that should be known and distributed to all medical providers.”

Also included in the Critical Care Echocardiography category is a report on a relatively rare, post-LVAD complication that signifies the importance of serial echo in managing patients receiving mechanical circulatory support. The remainder of this issue tackles a variety of topics in the Cardiac Tumors and Pseudotumors, Congenital Heart Disease, and Sonographer Spotlight categories. Santa-Ana-Bayona et al. provide remarkable echo images of their findings in a young man with Carney complex and multi-chamber, large, hemodynamically significant myxomas. Moore et al. share a case that is of particular importance to those in anesthesiology and critical care, recognizing the presence of a persistent left SVC in a patient undergoing cannulation for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Rounding out this issue is a sonographer-led case series from Benser et al., which further highlights the value of recognizing serial changes through echo, particularly when an issue as dynamic and transient as intracardiac thrombi is involved.

Dr. Sorrell’s editorial dives into the topic of serial echocardiography and its value in successful clinical outcomes when well-executed. He discusses the gaps that currently exist in standardizing this practice and offers resources to improve the variability of your own comparative echo reviews.

Be sure to check out the newest Unlock the CASE and Sonographer Sound-Off on the CASE homepage.

SUBMIT your case report to us! Whether it will be your first time submitting a case or your 50^th, we are here to make it a great experience. Email us with questions or submit your report today!

The May issue of JASE includes an original investigation titled, “Association of Impaired Relaxation Mitral Inflow Pattern (Grade 1 Diastolic Function) With Long-Term Noncardiovascular and Cardiovascular Mortality.” Lead author Kathleen A. Young, MD, remarks, “In this retrospective study of community patients without heart failure and normal left ventricular ejection fraction, a novel finding was the association of an impaired myocardial relaxation mitral inflow pattern (grade 1 diastolic function) with all-cause mortality, even in a subset of patients with ‘isolated grade 1 diastolic function’ who had no other clinical or echocardiographic abnormalities. In addition, those with grade 1 diastolic function were more likely to die of dementia and cardiovascular death than those with normal diastolic function. This study highlights the importance of impaired myocardial relaxation mitral inflow pattern (grade 1 diastolic function) as an important biomarker of cardiovascular and cognitive risk and not necessarily a benign finding that is normal with age.”

This issue’s original investigations incorporate a variety of topics including diastolic function and survival, SGLT2 inhibitor therapy and cardiac remodeling, LV contractile phenotypes in HFpEF, the relation between exercise echo findings to subsequent heart failure hospitalization, and cardiac elastography. Two editorial comments accompany reports in the diastolic function and survival category, while another offers insight into dapagliflozin and cardiac reverse remodeling in the continued study of SGLT2 inhibitors’ impacts across cardio-kidney-metabolic conditions. The brief research communications of this issue discuss sleep duration and subclinical LV dysfunction in older adults as well as Doppler characterization of left anterior descending coronary artery diastolic flow profiles in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Rounding out this issue are two letters to the editor regarding the left atrioventricular coupling index’s use as a marker for diastolic dysfunction and prognosis.

Guest written by Steven Lester, MD, FASE, alongside ASE staff Meredith Morovati, MBA, and Samantha King, this month’s President’s Message dives into all things innovation at ASE, including the expansion of ASE’s Industry Roundtable (IRT) and the launch of its first Accelerator Program.

A new call for papers is now open! A focus issue on chamber quantification is set for publication in 2026. Papers that address any aspect of echocardiography in quantitative assessment of the cardiac chambers should be submitted by August 1, 2025. Please direct questions to JASE managing editor Debbie Meyer at DMeyer@ASEcho.org.

Tune into our Author Spotlight page for interviews between JASE Editor-in-Chief Patricia Pellikka, MD, FASE, and authors of recently published papers. April’s interview features , discussing her report titled, “Machine Learning Identifies Clinically Distinct Phenotypes in Patients With Aortic Regurgitation.”

Please see the May ASE Education Calendar for a listing of educational opportunities far and wide.

Are you developing a new technology that incorporates or advances the use of cardiovascular ultrasound? Do you know about a startup or early-stage company with an AI tool, innovative software, or diagnostic solution that leverages echocardiography to address real clinical challenges?

Apply to participate in the 2025 Shark Tank Innovation Competition, a new special event at ASE 2025 spotlighting emerging technologies aiming to transform the field of cardiovascular ultrasound.

Why Participate?

• Present to Industry Leaders: Selected organizations will pitch groundbreaking ideas to a panel of expert “sharks”—entrepreneurial and academic thought leaders who are ready to challenge and propel technologies to the next level!
• Receive Real-Time Feedback: Gain valuable insights and guidance to refine your technology.
• Increase Visibility: Showcase your solution or technology to a global audience of cardiovascular ultrasound professionals.
• Network Opportunities: Connect with key stakeholders in the echo community.

How to Apply

• Visit the ASE 2025 Shark Tank Innovation Competition page to learn more about eligibility criteria, the event format, and to complete the application.
• Applications must be submitted by June 16, 2025.

Questions? Please email ASE’s External Relations Project Manager Kevin B. Murphy.

ASE’s 2025 Shark Tank Innovation Competition will take place Saturday, September 6, 2025, 4:45 – 5:45 PM CT at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, during ASE’s 2025 Scientific Sessions. ASE 2025 will feature celebrations of ASE’s 50th Anniversary, and we are expecting a record number of attendants!