Volume 15, Number 3, May-June 2008

Performing a comprehensive echocardiogram study: audit of adherence to the British Society of Echocardiography minimum dataset guidelines
Lindsey Tilling, Ariana González Gómez, Juan Gros Otero, Harald Becher

The British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) Education Committee has published a minimum dataset of 24 views for acquiring a standard adult transthoracic echocardiogram. To establish adherence to the minimum dataset, and secondly to establish the indication for echocardiography, we performed a retrospective review of 961 patients’ echocardiogram images and a prospective review (re-audit) of 832 patients’ echocardiograms, following a programme of echocardiographer education. Images were obtained from a computerised database over three months. Subjects were adult patients referred to the cardiology department of a large tertiary hospital in Oxfordshire. Results showed 17 views were consistently obtained in over 78% of patients, irrespective of audit period. Seven views were obtained in less than 50% of patients; of these, five views were performed significantly more frequently during re-audit. Apical four chamber continuous wave Doppler across the tricuspid valve, and subcostal views were performed in less than 45% of patients; this did not increase during re-audit. The main indication for performing an echocardiogram was assessment of left ventricular function, followed by assessment of valve function and investigation of arrhythmia. In conclusion, all echocardiographers need to be made aware of, and adhere closely to the requirements of the minimum dataset.

Br J Cardiol 2008;15:151-4.

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