Focused Cardiac Ultrasound

Our 2-day echo workshop is designed specifically for medical specialists who perform point of care ultrasound, including emergency physicians, intensivists, anaesthetists, rural GPs and cardiology trainees. 

The aim of the course is to provide clinicians with all the necessary skills to become proficient in the performance of, and diagnosis using, a focused echo exam. 

TOPICS COVERED

Echo Applications

Echo Acoustic Windows & Image Orientation * Valvular Assessment * LV/RV Function & Filling Status * Haemodynamic Assessment & Calculations * Basic Echo in Life Support * Rapid Cardiac Echo

Echo Features of Cardiac Pathologies

Pericardial Disease *  Cardiac Tamponade * AMI * Aortic Dissection * Shock * Pulmonary Embolus * Pneumothorax

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• To appreciate heart anatomy 
• Understand acoustic windows and imaging planes used in echo
• Outline common pathologies associated with the heart 
• Describe how echo is used to measure cardiac output, stoke volume, ejection fraction, aortic valve area etc.
• Appreciate echo as a tool to assess left and right systolic function 
• Understand echo image orientation
• Understand the basic principles of Doppler haemodynamics
• Provide delegates with tutor assisted 'hands-on' echo practice
• Appreciate normal values in an echo examination
• Understand the limitations of the Doppler technique
• Understand the components of a focused echo examination
• Outline the role of echo in life support
• Appreciate the use of rapid cardiac echo in the critically ill
• Identify common ultrasound artifacts