ASE 2026 Research Spotlight 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Natalie Costantino
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ASE 2026 Research Highlights Technique to Potentially Support More Timely, Informed Treatment Decisions for Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

(DURHAM, N.C., June 25, 2026)— New research being presented at the American Society of Echocardiography’s (ASE) 2026 Scientific Sessions, taking place June 26-28 in Aurora, Colorado, suggests that adjusting a commonly used bedside maneuver performed during echocardiography exams can improve the detection of heart obstruction in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

The study, “Maximal-Effort versus Traditional Goal-Directed Valsalva: Improved Detection of Latent and Severe Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy,” found that asking patients to perform a maximal-effort version of the guideline-recommended Valsalva maneuver uncovered clinically significant obstruction in many patients who were difficult to identify using the traditional diagnostic method.

Research led by presenting author Dr. Fanxin Kong, a medical researcher and clinician at The First Hospital of China Medical University and Clinical Medical Research Center of Imaging in Liaoning Province, China, prospectively studied more than 300 patients with HCM who did not display significant obstruction at rest. The maximal-effort maneuver identified substantially more patients with latent and severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, which helped modify the treatment plans of nearly 50 patients and consider them for other advanced therapies.

“A simple change in how we instructed patients to perform a traditional bedside test uncovered latent obstruction in nearly half of patients with latent obstructive HCM who may otherwise be missed. This work has the potential to update the guideline-recommended provocation protocol for the goal-directed Valsalva maneuver,” said Dr. Kong.

HCM is one of the most common inherited cardiomyopathies and failing to identify the condition can lead to significant morbidity or sudden cardiac death. Echocardiography plays a central role in diagnosing HCM and distinguishing it from other cardiac conditions. It is important to properly execute maneuvers since treatment decisions often depend on whether obstruction is detected.

The findings suggest that incorporating maximal-effort Valsalva maneuvers into echocardiography assessments may enhance diagnostic accuracy and support more timely, informed treatment decisions for patients with HCM.

ASE 2026 will feature more than 500 abstract presentations showcasing cutting-edge research on the latest advances in cardiovascular ultrasound and cases illustrating breakthroughs in patient care. This research will be presented as a poster session on Friday, June 26, at the Gaylord Rockies Convention Center. Learn more about ASE 2026, explore all ASE resources on HCM and view all research abstracts in the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography.

About American Society of Echocardiography
The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is the Society for Cardiovascular Ultrasound Professionals™. ASE is the largest global organization for cardiovascular ultrasound imaging serving physicians, sonographers, nurses, veterinarians, and scientists and as such is the leader and advocate, setting practice standards and guidelines for the field. The Society is committed to advancing cardiovascular ultrasound to improve lives. For more information, visit the ASE website ASEcho.org or social media pages on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Bluesky.

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