CARDIAC | Current state of technological advances in echocardiography
Tracks
209 | Cardiac GE Healthcare
| Saturday, June 14, 2025 |
| 8:45 AM - 10:05 AM |
| 209 | Cardiac GE Healthcare |
Details
Live scanning sponsored session GE Healthcare
Speaker
Dr Paul Stoodley
Senior Lecturer
Western Sydney University
Artificial intelligence in echo
8:45 AM - 9:05 AMAbstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an existing feature of all modern cardiac imaging systems. AI features include those initiated by the sonographer, like Doppler waveform analysis, and those that are not, like dynamic focus adjustment. Advanced functions like atrial and ventricular volume calculations and speckle tracking echocardiography are becoming more fully-automated, and further refinements are anticipated that will enable the identification of potential tissue types and/or pathologies. However, there are serious practical and ethical concerns related to the growing integration of AI into imaging systems, such as, how much control sonographers should have in AI-related functions and whether the predictions made by AI are both accurate and appropriate. Importantly, AI-related training for sonographers will need to be more widely available, pre and post qualification. This presentation addresses these significant contemporary issues.
Biography
Dr Paul Stoodley |
Western Sydney University
Paul is an accredited cardiac sonographer with wide experience in adult cardiac sonography. He holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, where he investigated echocardiographic measurements of breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline chemotherapy. Paul is a senior lecturer at Western Sydney University, where he coordinates the cardiac sonography program and is the co-director of postgraduate programs in the School of Medicine. He is eager to advance sonographer learning and teaching, and to promote sonographer led research.
Dr Rebecca Perry
Program Director
University of South Australia
Strain in indeterminate diastolic function
9:05 AM - 9:25 AMAbstract
There is nothing more frustrating than indeterminate diastolic function. This presentation will explore the ways that strain (in particular left atrial strain) can help in this situation, including practical hints and tips of how to obtain accurate strain measurements.
Biography
Dr Rebecca Perry FASA |
University of South Australia
Dr Rebecca Perry is the Program Director for Medical Sonography at the University of South Australia and has an honorary position as a post-doctoral researcher in echocardiography at Flinders Medical Centre. She has been a cardiac sonographer since 1998 and has been involved in research and advanced echocardiographic techniques since 2003. She has extensive experience in advanced echocardiographic techniques such as strain and 3-D echocardiography. In 2023 she won the prestigious Australasian Sonographers Association, Pru Pratten Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award which recognises and honours a sonographer who has made a significant contribution to the profession, and the ASA, over the course of their career. She completed her PhD in 2013 and her Post-Doctoral Fellowship with the Heart Foundation through Flinders University in 2018. She is passionate about education and excellence in echocardiography and advanced imaging techniques.
Mrs Angela Farley
Course Coordinator & Lecturer
UniSA
The effect of career duration on the cardiac structure and function of Australian jockeys: An observational cross-sectional study.
9:25 AM - 9:35 AMAbstract
Purpose: This study investigates the cardiac structure and function of early versus established career jockeys to explore potential cardiovascular adaptations associated with race riding.
Methods: Forty-two Australian jockeys were assessed using echocardiography and workload metrics. Participants were categorized as early career (≤5 years of race riding experience) or established career (>5 years). Key parameters included left ventricular (LV) mass, LV mass index, global longitudinal strain (GLS), and mitral E:A ratio. Data on anthropometrics, workload, and weight management practices were also collected.
Results: Established jockeys demonstrated higher LV mass, LV mass index, and lower mitral E:A ratios compared to early career jockeys, indicating potential chronic adaptations to race riding. While no statistically significant differences were observed in GLS, a trend toward a higher prevalence of GLS values (> -16%) was noted among established jockeys. Both groups exhibited similarly high levels of physical activity. Early career jockeys engaged in more track work hours weekly, while race frequencies were comparable. Weight management strategies, including food restriction and sauna use, were consistent across groups.
Conclusions: Findings suggest career-stage differences in cardiac adaptations among jockeys, with established jockeys showing evidence of greater LV remodelling and a trend toward subclinical myocardial impairment. The cumulative impact of intense physical demands and weight management practices may contribute to these changes. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term implications of these adaptations and develop strategies to optimize jockeys' health and performance.
Methods: Forty-two Australian jockeys were assessed using echocardiography and workload metrics. Participants were categorized as early career (≤5 years of race riding experience) or established career (>5 years). Key parameters included left ventricular (LV) mass, LV mass index, global longitudinal strain (GLS), and mitral E:A ratio. Data on anthropometrics, workload, and weight management practices were also collected.
Results: Established jockeys demonstrated higher LV mass, LV mass index, and lower mitral E:A ratios compared to early career jockeys, indicating potential chronic adaptations to race riding. While no statistically significant differences were observed in GLS, a trend toward a higher prevalence of GLS values (> -16%) was noted among established jockeys. Both groups exhibited similarly high levels of physical activity. Early career jockeys engaged in more track work hours weekly, while race frequencies were comparable. Weight management strategies, including food restriction and sauna use, were consistent across groups.
Conclusions: Findings suggest career-stage differences in cardiac adaptations among jockeys, with established jockeys showing evidence of greater LV remodelling and a trend toward subclinical myocardial impairment. The cumulative impact of intense physical demands and weight management practices may contribute to these changes. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term implications of these adaptations and develop strategies to optimize jockeys' health and performance.
Biography
Ms Angela Farley |
University Of South Australia
Angela has worked within the medical imaging industry for 20 years as a Radiographer and a Sonographer. Working as a Tutor Sonographer for the past 9 years, has given her the opportunity to work with and develop many trainees throughout Australia. She also works as an academic at the University of South Australia. Here she is the course coordinator for several courses within the Medical Sonography Program. Angela has presented at previous ASA conferences and was part of the organising committee for the 2022 Melbourne ASA conference. Angela is currently completing a Masters by Research with the University of South Australia. The project focuses on the structure and function of Australian jockey hearts using echocardiography and is the first of its kind in the world. She is also a member elected board member of the Australian Sonography Accreditation Registry and is the Chair of the Registry's Continuing Professional Development Sub-committee.
