Survey of echocardiography practice across five continents

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Medical Ultrasound
• Echocardiography

Background:

• Echocardiography encompasses various cardiovascular ultrasound techniques used globally.
• Existing guidelines may not reflect diverse international practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate worldwide variations in echocardiography practice.
• To characterize the echocardiography workforce and their daily activities.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed globally to echocardiography practitioners.
• Recruitment utilized social media and word-of-mouth strategies.

Main Results:

• 594 participants completed the survey, comprising sonographers, cardiologists, and other physicians.
• Significant variations were found in the volume of echocardiography performed, scanning time, and adjunct measurements collected.

Conclusions:

• Echocardiography practice demonstrates substantial global heterogeneity.
• Differences are attributed to clinician and healthcare system factors.
• Existing guidelines may require adaptation for diverse international contexts and new practitioners.