The September JASE includes “Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Automated Quantification of Left Heart Chamber Volumes Using an Adaptive Analytics Algorithm: Feasibility and Impact of Image Quality in Nonselected Patients,” by Medvedofsky et al. This prospective study tested an automated 3D echocardiographic technique for left heart chamber quantification in non-selected patients. Co-author Victor Mor-Avi, PhD, FASE, said that “We found that analysis was feasible in 90% of consecutive patients, but reliably accurate measurements were obtained in 66%, including those with adequate image quality, as defined in the article. We also found that the accuracy of the automated measurements was improved by editing the endocardial boundaries by an experienced reader, but did not change significantly when performed by readers without 3D echocardiography training. Importantly, however, the default fully automated measurements were accurate in the above patients, rendering border corrections non-essential. We suggest that this automated approach may overcome the workflow limitations and facilitate further integration of 3D quantification in clinical practice.”

As is the tradition, this JASE also includes a photo spread of the highlights from the 28th Annual Scientific Sessions, June 2-6, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you have a research idea but need funding to get it started? The ASE Foundation is now accepting proposals for its annual research grant program. We invite research proposals relevant to the value of echo-guided procedures in interventional care and their impact on patient outcomes. Of particular interest are proposals that provide comparative or demonstrative evidence of the key role echocardiography plays in cardiac and/or vascular surgical, catheter-based or device-placement related procedures.

For more details, please visit ASEFoundation.org/2017-research-grant. Proposals are due by October 31, 2017.

IAC Echocardiography will present a live webinar (followed by a Q&A session) on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 1 PM ET, entitled Echocardiographic Assessment of Diastolic Function. This webinar will be presented by Merri L. Bremmer, EdD, RN, RDCS, FASE, and is a joint presentation of IAC, ASE, and the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS).  This webinar will discuss technical tips for echo assessment of diastolic function and diastolic function assessment as detailed in the 2016 ASE Diastolic Function Guidelines. Registered participants will receive 1.0 ASE CEU credit. Register here.

ASE Headquarters will be closed Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day. Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, September 5.

We are excited to announce that ASE Past President, Susan Wiegers, MD, FASE, has accepted an invitation to serve on the Medical Imaging Drugs Advisory Committee (MIDAC) of the Food and Drug Administration for a term effectively immediately and ending June 30, 2021. The MIDAC advises the FDA Commissioner or designee in discharging responsibilities as they relate to helping to ensure safe and effective drugs for human use and, as required, any other product for which the Food and Drug Administration has regulatory responsibility. As a committee member, Dr. Wiegers will help review and evaluate data concerning the safety and effectiveness of marketed and investigational human drug products for use in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using radioactive pharmaceuticals and contrast media used in diagnostic radiology and make appropriate recommendations to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Join us in congratulating her on this very important appointment.

One of the latest products from ASE, Self Study: Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease DVD, provides a comprehensive review of the use of echocardiography in the diagnosis and follow-up of a variety of congenital heart diseases. Imaging from basic to comprehensive echocardiographic assessment is discussed. The DVD provides a review of anatomy and physiology including identifying and optimizing echocardiographic views for assessing and characterizing variations of congenital heart disease. It also includes a review of the different surgical approaches used to repair and palliate lesions.

Self Study: Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease DVD is suitable for sonographers, fellows, cardiologists, and physicians with limited background in congenital heart disease as well as those with significant congenital cardiac expertise. This DVD is designated by ASE for 12 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Purchase your copy today at ASEMarketPlace.com.

The 4th issue of CASE is now online along with a new “What is This Image?” The ten case reports’ topics include ablation complications, coronary sinus fistula, CRT and Fabry, COR triatriatum, coronary perforation, ECMO, endocarditis by 3D, intramyocardial dissecting hematoma, and ePLAR for pulmonary embolism. The lead author on the ePLAR article, “Dramatic Normalization of the Echocardiographic Pulmonary-to-Left Atrial Ratio with Thrombolysis in a Case of Life-Threatening Submassive Pulmonary Emboli,” is Isabel G. Scalia, BSc, from Heart Care Partners in Brisbane, Australia. “This was a great opportunity to be able to highlight the power of ePLAR,  a new echocardiographic surrogate for transpulmonary gradient, in a case of massive life threatening pulmonary embolus,” said Scalia. “In particular, in both diagnosis and management follow up, ePLAR was able to demonstrate the physiology of acute subtotal occlusion of transpulmonary flow. As a young clinician, CASE journal has offered me an excellent platform to showcase the potential impact of this new, clinically useful echo tool. I very much hope that this case will encourage other clinicians to consider measuring ePLAR in patients with these conditions as a non-invasive aid to diagnosis and treatment.”

Dear ASE Members,

By now, we are all familiar with the reports of flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey and the devastating impact on Houston and other parts of Texas and Louisiana. At times like these, we draw from our compassion to support others through difficult times.  We are specifically thinking of our colleagues in the affected areas.  For our members in that vicinity we wish you well and thank those of you who have stayed at the hospitals and other care centers to help and treat patients during this time.

Many ASE members have contacted us to express their interest in assisting with relief efforts. Because ASE does not have the infrastructure to organize disaster recovery efforts, we encourage our members to volunteer with reputable, established relief teams that are already in place and/or give to other charitable organizations offering services in that area. If you would like to support their efforts, the American Red Cross, United Way Relief, and the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund (established by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and managed by Greater Houston Community Foundation) are just a few of the organizations that are providing relief specifically for Hurricane Harvey.

Again, we hope all ASE members affected by the storm are safe, secure, and will soon be on the path to recovery. Our thoughts are with you.

Sincerely,

Vera Rigolin, MD, FASE
ASE President

Read release here.

The ASE Foundation’s annual research grant program funds dedicated time for investigators working to demonstrate cardiovascular ultrasound’s premier relevance in the changing healthcare environment, and to promote new and innovative applications of the technology. In 2014, Victor Mor-Avi, PhD, FASE, received a $200,000 multi-year grant; the largest in the Foundation’s history.  At this year’s Scientific Sessions, he presented the results of his fusion of CTCA and 3D echocardiography research. The full presentation is available on the Foundation’s website.

Do you have a research idea but need funding to get it started?  The Foundation is now accepting proposals for its annual research grant program. The organization has placed an emphasis on the Structural Heart Disease area for this year’s grant cycle. We invite research proposals relevant to the value of echo-guided procedures in the cath lab and its impact on patient outcomes. Please visit ASEFoundation.org/2017-research-grant for details. Applications are due by October 31, 2017.

In this era of dwindling government research funding and support for research fellowships, the ASE Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting the progress and future of cardiovascular ultrasound. Support this initiative today with a donation to the ASE Foundation.