Cardiac | Complex hearts (cont.)
Tracks
Rm 9 | Virtual
Cardiac
| Saturday, May 30, 2026 |
| 2:40 PM - 3:20 PM |
| Rm 9 | First Floor |
Speaker
Dr Jacqueline Williamson
Cardiac Sonographer
Menzies School of Health Research
Scanning the rheumatic heart
2:40 PM - 3:10 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
Echocardiography is the gold standard for diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease. Many cardiac sonographers are familiar with the characteristic features of advanced RHD which often presents in adulthood as mitral stenosis, but how many sonographers could recognise the changes associated with early RHD? Jacqui will present the echocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of RHD and explain the features used for disease classification (Stage A-D). The presentation will be coupled with a live scanning demonstration which will include SPLASH (Single Parasternal Long Axis with a Sweep of the Heart) scanning to screen for RHD, and demonstrate the requirements for detection of pathological regurgitation associated with RHD.
Biography
Dr Jacqueline Williamson |
Menzies School of Health Research
Jacqui is a cardiac sonographer with more than 20 years clinical experience in echocardiography. She has been heavily involved in sonographer education and training, developing a hands-on echo training program which she delivered in Melbourne and regional sites in Victoria. She is a DMU examiner and has been an invited speaker at national conferences and state echo meetings. Jacqui has worked in both public and private practice as a sonographer and echo educator and has a special interest in rheumatic heart disease screening. Jacqui spent the past 12 months in Darwin working with the RHD research team to optimise echo screening in remote and resource-poor locations. She is currently undertaking a PhD to further investigate novel approaches to echo screening for the detection of RHD in high-risk populations. Jacqui hopes to help improve health outcomes for those at risk of RHD through early detection of the disease.