Cardiac Techs
Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye - H. Jackson Brown, Jr
image by: Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology
HWN Suggests
Why the best cardiac technologists are actually great detectives
In any given cardiology service there can be a number of technologists carrying out the same duties; using the same equipment; with the same experience; and being paid at the same level under their award. On the surface they appear to be equals. But if you've ever read George Orwell's book 'Animal Farm' you'll know that "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others".
So what makes a great clinical cardiac technologist; one that stands out as being "more equal than others"? What makes one tech the 'go to' person over anyone else? And why are some people's results never questioned while the work of others comes under scrutiny?
The…
Resources
Why Cardiovascular Techs Are in High Demand
Using state-of-the-art technologies, cardiovascular techs use EKG machines to analyze heart function and ultrasounds to detect defects like arrhythmia, blockages, blood clots, and congenital heart disease in patients of all ages. Their findings can mean the difference between life and death. Registered cardiovascular technologists usually perform electrocardiograms and other non-invasive testing under the supervision of a doctor. More experienced cardiovascular techs may be depended upon to perform a wide variety of diagnostic testing, including more invasive procedures like cardiac catheterization procedures.
Five basic tips for the echo lab that you won't find in a textbook
Trainee sonographers are taught about acoustic windows, standard images, patient positioning, and probe movements (among other things). Echo involves constant multi-tasking and I often compare it to driving a car.
High-tech heart tests and procedures you may not need-and why
Having diagnostic tests for your heart 'just in case' may not help you live longer or feel better, and might cause harm.
News From The Heart: Do you scan and tell?
One of the great things about being a cardiac sonographer is the degree of autonomy you have, given the complexity of what you're doing. Most of the time you're operating directly with patients and indirectly with cardiologists. But at the end of each echo, when all the data has been acquired, the gel's been wiped away, and the verdict is in...what do you say to the patient about your diagnosis? As a sonographer, what are you even allowed to say?
Why the best cardiac technologists are actually great detectives
In any given cardiology service there can be a number of technologists carrying out the same duties; using the same equipment; with the same experience; and being paid at the same level under their award. On the surface they appear to be equals. But if you've ever read George Orwell's book 'Animal Farm' you'll know that "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others".
The Apical View
A personal view of cardiac technology in Australia.
Echo by Web
This site has the aim to provide a comprehensive echocardiography atlas, and clinical and research instruments to the cardiologist or sonographer involved in echocardiography, and to promote utilization of digital technology in the echocardiography laboratory.
Echo-Web
Created by a team of medical professionals and health-care specialists, the main Echo- Web site contains a wide range of resources dealing primarily with diagnostic ultrasounds, sonography, and the field of echocardiography. One of the most helpful of these resources is the Basic Principles of Ultrasound online course, which is available there at no cost.
Echocardiographer.org
Echocardiographer.org is a repository of all information echo related. On this site you'll find pages designed to help you understand basic echo physics, and the standard views for transthoracic and transesophageal imaging, as well as pages of commonly encountered clinical cases in our image library and tutorials.
Echocardiology.org
Echocardiology.org aims to provide you with simple tutorials of the echocardiographic features of common cardiac disorders. We will be continually updating the site with new information and will be adding images and video clips in the future.
SonoWorld
SonoWorld was launched in 1999 as a way to use the emerging Internet to provide free educational materials to ultrasound practitioners in developing countries around the world. As the founders explored ways to accomplish this mission, it became apparent that there was a global need for a centralized resource for information as well as educational resources, and that this could best be accomplished by creating a new education-focused virtual community for physicians, sonographers and industry.
The Pocus Atlas
All of our content is freely available to be shared and used for global point-of-care ultrasound education.
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
Vision Statement...To be the recognized credentialing organization for Cardiovascular Technology and emerging medical professionals.
Cardiovascular Ultrasound
Cardiovascular Ultrasound is an open access journal, publishing on all aspects of echocardiography, with a particular interest in unusual diagnostic aspects; and expert opinions on new techniques and technologies.
CardioVillage
CardioVillage provides continuing medical education (CME) credit in cardiovascular medicine. Learn about issues in cardiology, cardiovascular disease, angiography, electrocardiography, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, preventive cardiology, interventional cardiology, hypertension, arrhythmias, cardiac catheterization, and cardiac imaging.
ECG Learning Center
This tutorial is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan E. Lindsay, master teacher of electrocardiography, friend, mentor, and colleague. Many of the excellent ECG tracings illustrated in this learning program are from Dr. Lindsay's personal collection of ECG treasures.
ECG Library
This WWW resource will be a library of ECG recordings, many in full 12-lead format. To display the images on a computer screen some of the clarity is lost but those that are shown have been chosen carefully to prevent any loss of important detail.
ECG scribbles
The following is a basic primer in interpretation of the ECG (EKG). It is intended solely for teaching purposes, and should not be relied upon in clinical decision making.
Echocardiography: A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques
Echocardiography: A Journal of Cardiovascular Ultrasound and Allied Techniques is the official publication of the International Society of Cardiovascular Ultrasound. Widely recognized for its comprehensive peer-reviewed articles, case studies, original research, and reviews by international authors. Echocardiography keeps its readership of echocardiographers, ultrasound specialists, and cardiologists well informed of the latest developments in the field.
European Journal of Ultrasound
European Journal of Ultrasound (UiM/EJU) is the most widely read interdisciplinary ultrasound journal in Europe. UiM/EJU provides readers with the following: Comprehensive coverage of the latest developments in ultrasound — with special focus on practical applications. Articles with exemplary ultrasound images of the highest quality...
Journal for Vascular Ultrasound
The Journal for Vascular Ultrasound (JVU) is the official journal of the Society for Vascular Ultrasound. It consists of original scientific and educational articles, case studies, book reviews, technical reviews, ultrasound principle reviews, viewpoints, letters to the editor, and CME tests.
Journal of Cardiovascular Echography
Journal of Cardiovascular Echography (JCEcho), is the official publication of Italian Society of Cardiovascular Echography (SIEC). The journal promotes research, clinical practice through education and dissemination of knowledge in the field of Cardiovascular Imaging (e.g. Ultrasonic Cardiovascular Imaging, MRI, CT, etc.).
Journal of Echocardiography
The official journal of the Japanese Society of Echocardiography, the Journal of Echocardiography publishes work that contributes to progress in the field and articles in clinical research as well. It seeks to develop a new focus and new perspectives for all who are concerned with this discipline.
Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography
The Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography(JASE) brings physicians and sonographers peer-reviewed original investigations and state-of-the-art review articles that cover conventional clinical applications of cardiovascular ultrasound, as well as newer techniques with emerging clinical applications. These include three-dimensional echocardiography, strain and strain rate methods for evaluating cardiac mechanics and interventional applications.
Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine
The Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM) is dedicated to the rapid, accurate publication of original articles dealing with all aspects of medical ultrasound, particularly its direct application to patient care but also relevant basic science, advances in instrumentation, and biological effects. The journal is an official publication of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.
The Ultrasound Journal
The Ultrasound Journal is an international, peer-reviewed journal designed for clinicians using point-of-care ultrasound in any environment or setting.
Ultrasonics
Ultrasonics is the only internationally established journal which covers the entire field of ultrasound research and technology and all its many applications. Ultrasonics contains a variety of sections to keep readers fully informed and up-to-date on the whole spectrum of research and development throughout the world. Papers are of exceptional quality and of relevance to both academia and industry.
Ultrasound Clinics
As ultrasound continues to evolve, the new Ultrasound Clinics keeps you up-to-date on the latest advances in the use of this versatile modality.
Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (UMB) is the official journal of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. The journal publishes original contributions on significant advances in clinical diagnostic, interventional and therapeutic applications, new and improved clinical techniques, the physics, engineering and technology of ultrasound in medicine and biology, and the interactions between ultrasound and biological materials, including bioeffects.
Ultrasound Quarterly
Ultrasound Quarterly provides coverage of the newest, most sophisticated ultrasound techniques as well as in-depth analysis of important developments in this dynamic field. The journal publishes reviews of a wide variety of topics including trans-vaginal ultrasonography, detection of fetal anomalies, color Doppler flow imaging, pediatric ultrasonography, and breast sonography.
Virtual TEE
Welcome to the Toronto General Hospital Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management Virtual Transesophageal Echocardiography website. This site is intended to be a resource for educators and students looking for tools to facilitate the teaching and learning of transesophageal echocardiography.
Visible Heart Laboratories
This lab is a premiere place to perform translational systems physiology research which ranges from cellular and tissue studies to organ and whole body investigations.
Perfusion.com
Perfusion.com is the world's largest and most comprehensive resource for topics related to cardiovascular perfusion, blood management and platelet therapy. Here at Perfusion.com, we are continually striving to provide the most current resources and information on all aspects of the perfusion and the cardiovascular surgery industry.
ScienceBuddies
The first leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease, and the third leading cause is stroke. Cardiovascular technologists or technicians are key members of the healthcare teams that are on the front lines of treating heart and blood vessel diseases and conditions. They set up monitors and tests to help physicians diagnose heart or blood vessel problems. Then they work with physicians to treat an identified problem. For example, they might help break up a blockage in an artery going to the heart or brain, or assist in the implantation of a pacemaker. Their work restores vital blood supply to a patient's heart or brain, or reestablishes a normal heart rhythm, allowing patients to liver longer and fuller lives.
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