ECH 100 Introduction to Echocardiography (1)

This course provides the student with an overview to the field of echocardiography, medical terminology related to procedures and instrumentation, and indications for use. Areas covered will include role of echocardiographer, legal/ethical issues and universal precautions. An overview of the program will be given. (Fall Semester)  Prerequisite: 2 year Allied Health Degree, B.S. Degree, M.D., D.O.

This course includes a study of examinations, techniques, measurements, equipment and patient preparation for 2-D Imaging, M-Mode, Doppler and Color Doppler of the normal adult and pediatric hearts. Correlation with other cardiac evaluation methods will be presented such as: angiography and cardiac catherization, electrocardiograph, electrophysiologic studies, Holter monitoring, stress testing, radionuclide studies, other topographic imaging procedures, phonocardiography, external pulse recordings, Thallium tests and Stress echocardiography. (Fall Semester)  Prerequisite: 2 year Allied Health Degree, B.S. Degree, M.D., D.O.

This course includes college laboratory experience on basic scanning techniques as presented in lecture.  (Fall Semester) Prerequisite: 2 yrs. Allied Health Degree, B.S. Degree, M.D., D.O. Corequisites: ECH 100, ECH 103

A study of the principles of Ultrasound instruments, modes of operation, operator control options, frequency selection, scanning motions and planes in a cardiac examination, patient histories and physical signs, patient preparations and doppler vs. color doppler protocols are a few of the areas to be covered. Basic generalized pathology of the different organs will be covered. (Fall Semester)  Prerequisite: 2 year Allied Health Degree, B.S. Degree, M.D., D.O.

This course provides the student with the normal anatomy of the pericardial and thoracic cavities, including the skeletal framework, the normal anatomy of the heart’s large vessels, embryology development, cardiac physiology, the function of circulation, coronary circulation, parameters of arterial pressure measurement and heart pressures. Students will study the normal sonographic appearances. (Fall Semester)  Prerequisite: 2 year Allied Health Degree, B.S. Degree, M.D., D.O.

This course concentrates on the development of initial practical skills in basic echocardiography procedures. Emphasis is on the role of the initial observer to assistant under the close supervision of faculty and sonography staff and is provided at area echocardiography clinical sites. (Twenty-four hours per week) Prerequisites: DMS 106, ECH 101, ECH 104 and minimum grade of "C" or better in all first semester courses.

This course will focus on the recognition and identification of cardiac pathologies with their hemodynamics in different types of heart disease. Students will learn their echographic structures. Echocardiography diagnostic procedures will be discussed such as: stress, transesophageal and intraoperative echocardiography giving indications, limitations, technical procedures and clinical pharmacology. Fetal echocardiography will be introduced. Student case presentations and literature reviews will be required. Registry style examinations will be given.  (Spring Semester) Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in all first semester courses.

The student is provided with college laboratory experience on basic scanning techniques related to college lecture material. (Spring Semester) Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in all first semester courses.

This course is designed to help the student become familiar with describing echosonographic images and correlating the descriptions with clinical histories. This is accomplished with case study presentations. The student will also develop research skills by writing a paper on an approved topic. A brief presentation of their topic will complete the course. (Spring Semester) Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in all first semester courses.

This course will give the student an in-depth study of the cardiac pathologies, their physiological symptoms, outcomes, and their echosonographic appearance. Special attention will be given to the mitral and tricuspid valves, acquired aortic and pulmonic valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, coronary artery disease, pericardial disease, inflammatory, neoplastic and thrombotic disease. Other areas covered will include cardiac trauma, prosthetic heart valves and pediatric congenital heart disease. Pediatric congenital heart disease will be presented.  (Spring Semester) Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in all first semester courses.

This supervised off-campus experience continues to provide the student development of skills in scanning procedures. (Twenty-four hours per week) (Spring Semester) Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in all first semester courses.

In this final and extended period of clinical study, the student progresses to full independence under the supervision of faculty and echocardiography staff. The student will be prepared to function as a beginning Echocardiographer and will be ready to sit for the RDCS examination given in October. This course is an extension to the learning that the student encountered during the first and second semesters. (Forty hours per week for twelve weeks) (Summer Session) Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in all second semester courses.

ECH 250 Pediatric Echocardiography (3)

This course includes the study of examinations, techniques, measurements, equipment, and patient preparation.  Correlation with other cardiac evaluation methods will be presented.  Cardiac pathologies and hemodynamics as well as fetal echocardiography will be discussed.  (Offered as needed)  Prerequisite:  Currently employed in the ultrasound field.

ECH 255 Adult Echocardiography (3)

This course includes the study of examinations, techniques, measurements, equipment, and patient preparation.  Correlation with other cardiac evaluation methods will be presented.  Cardiac pathologies and hemodynamics as well as stress echocardiography will be discussed.  (Offered as needed)  Prerequisite:  Currently employed in the ultrasound field.