Echo
2 days
Critical Care Echo Course (Basic)

Course highlights
- Equipment and image optimisation for hemodynamic assessment
- Imaging acquisition relevant to hemodynamic assessment
- Save images and measurements, echo loop acquisition
- Doppler (Pulsed & Continuous wave)
- Color Doppler Imaging (CDI)
- Tips and pitfalls
Please contact us to be notified when this course is next scheduled.
Description
Echocardiography is the first-line diagnostic tool for the evaluation of hemodynamically unstable patients, based on the combination of two-dimensional evaluation of cardiac structures and function.
This 2-day course will focus on a collection of specific views/findings pertinent to the care of critically ill (e.g. cardiac output, fluid responsiveness) to optimise clinical status, and monitor response to treatment.
Want to be recognised as a safe and competent point of care ultrasound user?
This course is the first step toward attaining a credential in point of care ultrasound (Certificate of Competence).
Learn more about our credentialing pathway.
Who should attend?
- Intensivist
- Anaesthetist
- Emergency Medicine Physician
- Paediatrician
- Cardiologist
- Critical Care
Objectives
To acquire a complete set of diagnostic quality views to answer hemodynamically relevant clinical questions:
- How to estimate chamber size?
- How to estimate LV ejection fraction?
- How to estimate stroke volume and cardiac output?
- How to estimate fluid responsiveness with Doppler?
- How to perform basic RV function analysis?
- Is diastolic function normal?
- Is the valve normal?
Expected Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate effective use of an ultrasound machine
- Acquire a set of images from parasternal and apical windows relevant to hemodynamic assessment.
- Optimise an ultrasound image to perform the following cardiac measurements:
- Shortening Fraction and Ejection fraction
- LV mass
- Measurement of the LVOT
- Estimation of the LVOT area
- Dimensionless Stroke volume and cardiac output with Pulsed Doppler
- Fluid responsiveness with Pulsed Doppler
- Qualitative valve assessment with CDI
- Identify the parameters of safe application of Critical Care Echocardiography and its limitations in medical diagnosis.
- Acquire images of the heart in two planes in multiple windows.
- How to document the ultrasound findings.
- Identify the limitations of ultrasound and identify when to on-refer patients for formal scanning or complimentary investigations.
Logbook Requirements
CCE (Basic) Course | 5 cases (included in course fee) |
CCE (Advanced) Course | 25 cases (to be purchased separately) |
Total | 30 cases |
- Basic Course — upon completion of the CCE Basic course, students may submit up to 5 cases for Tutor review, at no additional cost.
- Advanced Course — those who wish to achieve the ultrasound credential will need to purchase the additional 25 cases (reviews) in addition to the course fee.
- No cases are required to be submitted prior to enrolling in the CCE Advanced course.
- There is no obligation for students to submit cases if they do not wish to be credentialed.
Prerequisites
Qualification: MBBS with SMC registration — or international equivalent.
Equipment: Regular access to an ultrasound machine and patients.
Prior learning: Completion of BELS (Basic) course.
Prior to commencing course:
Pre-course material will be provided four weeks before the course start date. This will include videos and a short quiz. It is mandatory to review this material prior to attending as it is the foundation material for the course.
Learning Strategies
- Hands-on practical scanning on real patient models and simulators, with a maximum ratio of 1 tutor to 4 students.
- Expert led presentations and demonstrations.
- Online videos and directed reading.
- Online logbook — upload your images for personalised and constructive feedback from your dedicated tutor.
- Formative rubric assessment— measure you skill progression and highlight areas for improvement.

TIME
8:15 am to 4:00 pm

VENUE
National University of Singapore
MD6, 14 Medical Drive,
Singapore 117599

CATERING
Morning tea, a light lunch and refreshments are provided.