Upon completion of this activity, learners should be able to:

• Explain the physics and instrumentation necessary for conducting echocardiography studies, including M-mode, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, Doppler, and strain echocardiography.
• Explain the principles of m-mode, transthoracic, transesophageal, intraoperative, stress, intracardiac, three dimensional, and procedural echocardiography for structural heart interventions, and discuss the applications of each.
• Demonstrate the application of Doppler principles for assessing hemodynamics.
• Explain advanced Doppler and tissue characterization principles and applications.
• Correlate cardiac pathology with echocardiographic images.
• Differentiate artifacts from normal anatomical and pathological findings.
• Discuss the role of echocardiography in diagnosing and treating native and prosthetic valvular heart disease as well as the subvalvular outflow tract.
• Identify Echocardiographic findings associated with infective endocarditis
• Evaluate cardiac chamber sizes, left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, and right ventricular (RV) systolic function.
• Explain the role of echocardiography in assessing the presence of coronary artery disease and quantifying segmental LV systolic dysfunction as well as evaluating patients with suspected post-myocardial infarction complications.
• Describe guidelines for evaluating LV diastolic function in various scenarios and patient populations.
• Recognize key echocardiographic findings in adults with corrected and uncorrected congenital heart disease.
• Describe basic principles of fetal echocardiography.
• Diagnose cardiac masses and differentiate the typical echocardiographic features of various benign and malignant tumors.
• Diagnose and differentiate common pericardial diseases such as pericardial tamponade and cardiac constriction.
• Discuss the role of ultrasound-enhancing agents (contrast echocardiography) for improving chamber opacification, endocardial border definition, and myocardial perfusion.
• Discuss the role of echocardiography in identifying optimal treatment strategies for heart failure (HF), rhythm disturbances, and cardiac resynchronization therapy.
• Demonstrate the application of echocardiography in patients with advanced HF, including guiding placement and evaluating proper function of various assist devices (e.g., LV assist device, RV assist device, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and discuss the role of echocardiography in the cardiac transplant population.
• Explain the indications and proper use of echocardiography to assess a patient with a potential cardiac source of embolism.
• Diagnose and distinguish diseases of the aorta and vascular system.
• Define the typical echocardiographic features of patients with systemic diseases.
• Discuss the role of echocardiography in evaluating patients presenting with trauma.
• Differentiate physiological and pathological echocardiographic features in unique clinical settings, including critical care, athletes, and pregnant patients.
• Recognize the role and utility of point-of care ultrasound in various clinical scenarios, including emergency and critical care settings.
• Describe new advances and innovative technology in echocardiography and specific applications.
• Recognize the importance of quality improvement in echocardiography, laboratory accreditation, and the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence in echocardiography.
• Describe appropriate use criteria for all echocardiographic modalities.
• Describe the role of echocardiography in the rapidly expanding field of cardio-oncology.

CME/MOC Information

Joint Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

ABIM Maintenance of Certification

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component and requires a thoughtful response on the reflective statement question, must be completed to enable the participant to earn up to 141.5 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Please be advised that a thoughtful response is required on the reflective statement question on the evaluation to obtain MOC. Participation will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Credit Designation Statement:

Physicians

The ACCF designates this enduring material for a maximum of 141.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Release Date:

September 30, 2026

Expiration Date:

October 1, 2029

Access provided until the product expiration date of October 1, 2029.

Full refund available within 7 days of purchase.

Claiming credit voids refund eligibility.