Contributors

Contributing Authors and Reviewers: 

Programme Description

The European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) recommends specific training and certification for all users of pocket size ultrasound devices with the exception of cardiologists who are certified for transthoracic echocardiography according to national legislation. This programme was specifically designed to prepare for this EACVI certification.
This Programme is composed of several courses which introduce the principles of cardiac ultrasound, explain echocardiographic image interpretation and cover relevant cardiologic topics from the daily routine of a non-cardiologist.

Courses include an instructional lecture with illustrating figures and movies, references for further reading, multiple choice questions for self-assessment and teaching cases.
EACVI Certification can be obtained by the completion of the self-assessment questions as well as a by submitting a proof of successful hands-on training in a hospital echo department.

On-line teaching

This EACVI Education Programme is composed 8 courses offering on-line teaching in the fields of:

1)            Introduction to Echocardiography
2)            The Left Ventricle
3)            The Right Ventricle 
4)            Valvular Diseases 
5)            Atria And Vena Cava Inferior
6)            Assessment of the Pericardium
7)            Assessment of Pleura and Lung
8)            Clinical Scenarios - How to approach a patient with:
                •             Shortness of Breath
                •             Chest Pain
                •             Heart Murmur
                •             Palpitation / Syncope

Hands-on Training

Besides theoretical knowledge, practical skills are indispensable in echocardiography. Therefore, the EACVI asks all non-cardiologists to do hands-on training under the supervision of an experienced echocardiographer in a hospital environment before using handheld ultrasound devices alone.