Students enrolled in the Pediatric Echocardiography and Congenital Heart Disease program will be trained in the following areas:
Cardiac Embryology
Cardiac Anatomy/Physiology and Hemodynamics
Principles of Pediatric Echocardiographic Imaging
Usage of the segmental approach in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease
Pathophysiology and echocardiographic evaluation of congenital heart lesions and acquired cardiac disease in the pediatric population
Each student will be placed in a dedicated Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory for a one (1) month externship. Flex hours are available to working professionals. The Pediatric Cardiac Ultrasound Program will be nine (9) months in length and will be divided into three (3) modules. Students must attend and successfully pass all three (3) modules in order to meet graduation requirements:
MODULE ONE:
The following will be studied: introduction to cardiac embryology, cardiac anatomy and physiology, transition of the fetal circulation to post-natal circulation, principles of pediatric echocardiographic scanning and unique imaging windows utilized for the pediatric population, segmental approach in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease, introduction to fetal echocardiography, introduction to transesophageal echocardiography , clinical assessment and pediatric scanning settings, other imaging modalities utilized for the diagnosis of congenital heart disease and principles of digital imaging/telemedicine.
MODULE TWO:
The following will be studied: comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation of the pathophysiology and echocardiographic evaluation of congenital heart lesions ranging from the most common to the rarest.
MODULE THREE:
The following will be studied: complete echocardiographic evaluation of the pathophysiology and echocardiographic diagnosis of acquired heart disease in the pediatric population (e.g. Kawasaki’s, rheumatic heart disease), cardiomyopathies (e.g. dilated, restrictive, hypertrophic) and pulmonary hypertension in the pediatric population, the pediatric heart transplant patient, echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac masses/tumors, pediatric cardiac trauma and an introduction to echocardiographic evaluation of patients on ECMO (extra-corporal membrane oxygenation).In addition, the comprehensive study of the post-operative echocardiographic evaluation of patients with congenital heart disease, introduction of the utilization of cardiac catheterization for patients with congenital heart disease and the assisting role of echocardiography, echocardiographic assessment of adults with congenital heart disease, inclusive review sessions for the ARDMS Pediatric Echocardiography examination and orientation for clinical externship.
PROGRAM HOURS:
There will be two days of lecture and two days of laboratory (flex time for working professionals available)
Lecture will be held on Saturday and Sunday mornings and laboratory will be held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons
LABORATORY INFORMATION:
Our state of the art clinical laboratory is equipped with Philips HD-7 machines
Our instructors have years of clinical and teaching experience and offer individualized scanning instruction to all of our students. Students will have hands-on training on real infant/pediatric patients in the laboratory
West Coast Ultrasound Institute has created the “My Child, My Heart” Program, which offers free cardiac screening to children in the community.
TUITION:
Call for details! Many options for financial aid and loans are available to those who qualify. For more information please come in or call (310) 289-5123 and make an appointment at your earliest convenience.
