Overview

Echocardiography plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of patients with CVD. Performed in the early stages of patient evaluation, the results of echocardiograms can significantly affect decision making and orient clinical management. And the introduction of contrast agents has greatly improved the quality of images of the heart. However, the recent FDA advisory raises significant questions about the safe and proper use of contrast media, as well as which patient populations can safely benefit from that use.

This provocative and insightful webcourse will feature expert analysis and compelling discussion of the implications of the new FDA warning. Faculty will frame their discussion with expert opinions from members of the American Society of Echocardiography, while providing knowledgeable and practical insights into the safety concerns surrounding contrast agents, and helping sonographers and other health care professionals recognize the patient populations most likely to benefit from contrast echocardiography. Don't miss this timely and important program!

Target Audience

This activity is intended for echocardiologists, sonographers, sonography nurses, technicians, and other health care professionals involved in echocardiography.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the recently issued FDA warnings for the use of commercially-available, perflutren-based contrast agents and explain how they will impact, or have impacted, the use of contrast agents in in-patient and out-patient echocardiographic laboratories
• Describe how experts are currently using contrast agents, in light of the FDA's black box warning, and what strategies they are implementing to identify, inform, and monitor those patients that are appropriate for contrast media
• Demonstrate improved ability to identify patients that are still candidates for contrast echocardiography

Accreditation Statements

The Potomac Center for Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This activity is co-provided between Potomac Center for Medical Education and Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc.

Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Credit Designation

Physicians: The Potomac Center for Medical Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category I credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses: Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc. designates this program for 1.25 CE contact hours. Participants should claim only those contact hours actually spent in the educational activity.

Sonographers: Credit designation pending from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Disclosure

Potomac Center for Medical Education (PCME) adheres to the policies and guidelines, including the Standards for Commercial Support, set forth to providers by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and all other professional organizations, as applicable, stating those activities where continuing education credits are awarded must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous.

All persons in a position to control the content of a continuing medical education program sponsored by the Potomac Center for Medical Education are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest to PCME as well as to learners. All conflicts are identified and resolved by PCME in accordance with the Standards for Commercial Support in advance of delivery of the activity to learners.

The content of this activity was vetted by an external medical reviewer to assure objectivity and that the activity is free of commercial bias.

Non-faculty content contributors and/or reviewers reported the following relevant financial relationships that they or their spouse/partner have with commercial interests:

The following staff members of the Potomac Center for Medical Education involved in the development of content for this activity disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships: Laurie Frueh, MD, Medical Science Liaison, Kathy Merlo, Medical Writer, Donna Fucello, Vice President, Clinical Education Division & Accreditation Services, Blair St. Amand, Editor, Dana Simpler, MD, external medical reviewer.

FDA Disclosure

The contents of some CME/CE activities may contain discussions of non-approved or off label uses of some agents mentioned. Please consult the prescribing information for full disclosure of approved uses.

By clicking this button you are agreeing that you have read and understood the CME Statements above