School of Cardiac Ultrasound

SCHOOL OF CARDIAC ULTRASOUND

The Arizona Heart Foundation is home to the nation’s first program dedicated to the development of tomorrow’s heart and vascular sonographers. The eight-month echocardiography program is offered in the Fall of each year. It is designed for individuals who are currently working in the field of ultrasound or who are considering entering the profession.

Classes and clinical training follow a 40-hour week schedule, with approximately eight hours per week in the classroom and the remainder at clinical sites. Students are evaluated on the basis of exams and clinical performance.

Course Objective
The Arizona Heart Foundation School of Cardiac Ultrasound offers a comprehensive program designed to provide an in-depth clinical experience that will enable the student to produce accurate, high-quality echocardiographic images. Through didactic presentation, students acquire the knowledge needed to make the distinction between normal cardiac anatomy and cardiac pathology. In addition, the program emphasizes an understanding of basic cardiology and ancillary cardiovascular diagnostic procedures.

Goals for the Eight Month Program

• Become proficient in all aspects of adult echocardiography
• Become proficient in all aspects of carotid duplex scanning
• Be able to recognize the most common congenital heart defects
• Understand the basic principles of arterial/venous imaging
• Prepare for the CP&I and Adult Echocardiography Board Exams

Curriculum

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Electrocardiography
• Cardiac Auscultation
• Cardiac Pharmacology
• Current Literature Review
• Pathophysiology of Heart Disease
• Ultrasound Physics
• M-mode Echocardiography
• Two-Dimensional Echocardiography
• Cardiac Doppler
• Pediatric and Fetal Echocardiography
• Carotid Duplex Scanning
• Transesophageal Echocardiography
• Stress Echocardiography
• Intravascular Ultrasound
• Interventional Echocardiography
• RDCS Board Exam Review
• Vascular Ultrasound (carotid arteries, abdominal aorta, proximal renal arteries, peripheral arteries and veins)

Contact School of Cardiovascular Ultrasound