Radiology Resources
Radiology Resources · online course

Echocardiography course

Online echocardiography course: Doppler physics, standard views and normal values, ventricular function, cardiomyopathies, coronary disease, valve disease and the pericardium.

8modules41sessions15.8 hstudy time205questions

Each session has learning objectives, short illustrated teaching screens, key points, pearls and pitfalls, self-assessment MCQs with explanations and a summary. Session 1.1 is free; the full course is 3 months of access.

Course syllabus

Module 1: Foundations of Echocardiography

Ultrasound and Doppler physics, the four echo modalities and colour flow mapping

  1. 1.1Ultrasound Physics: Frequency, Wavelength, the Piezoelectric Effect and the Gray-Scale20 min
  2. 1.2Doppler Principles: Velocity, the Bernoulli Equation, Spectral Display and Aliasing25 min
  3. 1.3The Echo Modalities: 2-D, M-Mode, Continuous-Wave and Pulsed-Wave Doppler20 min
  4. 1.4Colour Doppler: Colour Flow Mapping, Settings, Pitfalls and Applications25 min

Module 2: Windows, Views and Normal Values

Transthoracic technique, the standard windows and views, TEE and newer techniques, a systematic study, normal variants and normal measurements

  1. 2.1Transthoracic Technique and the Parasternal Windows: PLAX and the Short-Axis Levels25 min
  2. 2.2Apical, Subcostal, Suprasternal and Right Parasternal Views20 min
  3. 2.3Beyond the Standard Study: Transesophageal, 3-D, Contrast and Tissue Doppler Echo20 min
  4. 2.4A Systematic Study, What Is Normal, and the Normal Variants That Mimic Disease20 min
  5. 2.5Normal Dimensions and the Normal Valve Motion on M-Mode25 min

Module 3: Ventricular Function and Cardiomyopathies

LV systolic and diastolic function, the right ventricle, and dilated, restrictive and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

  1. 3.1Measuring LV Systolic Function: Fractional Shortening, Volumes, Ejection Fraction and Cardiac Output25 min
  2. 3.2LV Systolic Dysfunction: Pitfalls, Causes, Clinical Significance and Myocarditis20 min
  3. 3.3LV Diastolic Dysfunction: Mitral Inflow Patterns and Their Pitfalls25 min
  4. 3.4The Right Ventricle: Size, Hypertrophy, Volume Overload and Dysfunction20 min
  5. 3.5Dilated and Restrictive Cardiomyopathy25 min
  6. 3.6Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: ASH, SAM and Dynamic LVOT Obstruction25 min

Module 4: Coronary Artery Disease

Wall motion and scoring, coronary territories, ischaemic cardiomyopathy and viability, mechanical complications of MI and stress echo

  1. 4.1Ischaemia and Infarction: Wall Thickening, Wall Motion and the Wall Motion Score25 min
  2. 4.2LV Segments, Coronary Territories, Ischaemic Cardiomyopathy, Viability and RV Infarction25 min
  3. 4.3Mechanical Complications of MI: Acute MR, VSD, Aneurysm, Pseudoaneurysm, Thrombus and Effusion25 min
  4. 4.4Stress Echocardiography20 min

Module 5: Systemic and Pulmonary Hypertension

LV hypertrophy and mass in systemic hypertension; detecting and estimating pulmonary hypertension

  1. 5.1Systemic Hypertension: LV Hypertrophy, LV Mass and Geometry25 min
  2. 5.2Pulmonary Hypertension: Detection on M-Mode, 2-D and Colour20 min
  3. 5.3Estimating Pulmonary Artery Pressure; Causes and Differential Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension25 min

Module 6: The Aorta and Congenital Heart Disease

Aortic root disease, coarctation and dissection; VSD, ASD, PDA, tetralogy of Fallot, Eisenmenger reaction and shunt quantification

  1. 6.1The Aortic Root: Dimensions, Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm, Dilatation and Aneurysm20 min
  2. 6.2Coarctation and Dissection of the Aorta; Marfan's Syndrome20 min
  3. 6.3Septal Defects: Ventricular and Atrial Septal Defect25 min
  4. 6.4PDA, Tetralogy of Fallot, Eisenmenger Reaction and Quantifying a Shunt25 min

Module 7: Valvular Heart Disease

Mitral, tricuspid, aortic and pulmonary valve stenosis and regurgitation, prolapse, flail leaflet, annular calcification and Ebstein anomaly

  1. 7.1Mitral Stenosis: 2-D and M-Mode Recognition25 min
  2. 7.2Mitral Stenosis: Doppler, Pressure Half-Time, Severity and Suitability for Valvotomy25 min
  3. 7.3Mitral Valve Prolapse, Flail Leaflet and Mitral Annular Calcification25 min
  4. 7.4Mitral Regurgitation: Recognition, Grading and Pitfalls25 min
  5. 7.5The Tricuspid Valve: Stenosis, Regurgitation and Ebstein Anomaly25 min
  6. 7.6Aortic Stenosis: Levels, Causes and 2-D/M-Mode Features25 min
  7. 7.7Aortic Stenosis: Doppler Velocity, Gradients, Continuity Equation and Indications for Intervention25 min
  8. 7.8Aortic Regurgitation: Causes, Signs and Grading25 min
  9. 7.9Pulmonary Stenosis and Pulmonary Regurgitation20 min

Module 8: Pericardium, Endocardium, Masses and Systemic Disease

Effusion, tamponade and constriction; endocarditis; tumours and thrombi; cardiac source of embolism; the heart in systemic disease

  1. 8.1Pericardial Effusion: Detection, Quantification and Mimics20 min
  2. 8.2Cardiac Tamponade and Constrictive Pericarditis25 min
  3. 8.3Infective Endocarditis: Vegetations, Complications and the Role of Echo25 min
  4. 8.4Cardiac Tumours and Left Atrial Myxoma20 min
  5. 8.5Atrial and Ventricular Thrombus20 min
  6. 8.6The Cardiac Source of Embolism and the Heart in Systemic Disease20 min