Handheld Ultrasound and Detection of Valve and Other Structural Heart Disease

Guest: Jared Bird, M.D. Host: Paul Friedman, M.D. Handheld ultrasound is rapidly changing cardiovascular structural heart disease assessment by allowing clinicians and researchers to detect valvular and structural heart disease earlier and more accurately. Advances in AI imaging guidance and interpretation further bridge the gap between physical exam and formal comprehensive echocardiography. It is important to realize how complimentary handheld ultrasound can be in the early detection of structural heat disease but does not replace diagnostic echocardiography. Topics Discussed: • How does handheld ultrasound improve upon the traditional physical exam when it comes to identifying valvular or structural heart disease? • What are the most common valve or structural abnormalities that clinicians can reliably detect using handheld ultrasound today? • How are we using handheld ultrasound to screen patients for structural heart disease in a research setting? • How do AI-ECG and handheld ultrasound intersect to provide optimal screening of asymptomatic patients with structural heart disease? 0:00 Introduction to handheld ultrasound 0:30 How handheld ultrasound changes care 1:35 Wireless probes and device connections 2:16 Limitations compared with formal ultrasound 3:32 Training needs for point-of-care ultrasound 4:37 AI guidance for image acquisition 5:45 Studies with novice ultrasound users 7:07 Training complete beginners to scan 8:15 Image quality and scan performance 10:15 Detecting structural heart abnormalities 12:07 AI support for image interpretation 14:17 Will stethoscopes become obsolete? 15:29 AI ECG and ultrasound screening 17:20 Expanding screening into community settings 18:30 Future impact and closing thoughts 19:17 Cardiovascular education and CME resources