Ultrasound

Ultrasound, also referred to as sonography or diagnostic ultrasound, uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize soft tissue. Ultrasounds are frequently ordered to measure fetal anatomy during pregnancy, check for blood clots and to guide needle biopsy procedures of the breast, abdomen and pelvis. The imaging modality does not use any radiation to create images. Find news specific to cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography).

ASE President Ted Abraham, MD, speaking at the ASE HCM forum in 2023. Photo by Dave Fornell

Cardiologist begins term as American Society of Echocardiography's new president

Cardiologist Theodore Abraham, MD, has been an ASE member for more than two decades. He is now the organization's 2024-2025 president. 

Stretching may help reduce painful orthopedic issues among echo and interventional lab staff

Orthopedic issues are the biggest work-related injury in cardiology, but this low cost intervention may help.

More than 5,600 cardiac ultrasound measurements are now automated using artificial intelligence in the new Siemens Acuson Origin echocardiography system. It is the first echo system to use AI to help automate and anticipate next actions to greatly speed workfor and increase reproducibility between sonographers. Photo by Dave Fornell at ESC 2023

Cardiovascular ultrasound innovations being showcased at ASE 2024 meeting

New cardiac ultrasound advances, from AI to completely study workflow, new 3D/4D catheters, virtual reality simulators, to robot-assisted ultrasound, will be presented on the expo floor of ASE 2024 this weekend in Portland.

GE Healthcare has announced the upcoming launch of new artificial intelligence (AI) software compatible with the company’s Vscan Air SL handheld ultrasound system.

GE Healthcare launching new AI software for handheld ultrasound system

The company's new AI offering, a product of its 2023 acquisition of Caption Health, will make its debut at ACC.24 in Atlanta.

Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, discusses the latest trends in cardiac strain echo.

Interest in strain echo imaging is rising, but hurdles remain

Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, told Cardiovascular Business that the current lack of reimbursement for strain echocardiography has been a challenge for care teams. 

Royal Philips X11-4t Mini 3D TEE transducer

FDA clears smaller 3D TEE transducer for imaging children, high-risk adult patients

The newly approved device is much smaller than previous offerings, helping operators capture 3D images during structural heart evaluations. 

artificial intelligence AI heart cardiology

ChatGPT struggles with echocardiography, but still shows potential to help cardiology trainees

ChatGPT may not be quite ready to help prepare trainees for their next echocardiography exam—but it does show promise. 

Ritu Thamman, MD, FASE, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, discusses trends and the technical aspects of strain imaging. #ASE #ASE23 #ASE2023 #strainecho

Strain imaging making a significant impact on the treatment of heart patients

Strain imaging has gained considerable momentum in recent years as an effective tool for getting more value out of heart evaluations. Ritu Thamman, MD, provided an in-depth look at the latest trends in strain echocardiography in an exclusive interview. 

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.