학술논문

Organization and Activity of Italian Echocardiographic Laboratories: A Survey of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Ciampi Q; Cardiology Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Benevento, Italy.; Pepi M; Cardiology Division, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milano, Italy.; Antonini-Canterin F; Department of Cardiology, Rehabilitative Hospital High Speciality, Motta di Livenza, TV, Italy.; Barbieri A; Department of Biomedical, Cardiology Division, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy.; Barchitta A; Semi Intensive Care Department, Semi-Intensive Care Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy.; Faganello G; Cardiovascular Center, Maggiore Hospital, Trieste, Italy.; Miceli S; Geriatric Division, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.; Parato VM; Cardiology Division, Madonna del Soccorso Hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, AP, Italy.; Tota A; Cardiology Division, Polyclinic Hospital, Bari, Italy.; Trocino G; Non Invasive Cardiac Imaging Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy.; Abbate M; Cardiology Vanvitelli Division, AORN dei Colli, Monaldi Hospital, Napoli, Italy.; Accadia M; Cardiology Division, Del Mare Hospital, Ponticelli, NA, Italy.; Alemanni R; Cardiac Surgery Division, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.; Angelini A; Cardiology Division, Cardinal Massaia Hospital, Asti, Italy.; Anglano F; Cardiology Division, Ravenna Medical Center, Ravenna, Italy.; Anselmi M; Cardiology Division, Fracastoro Hospital, San Bonifacio, VR, Italy.; Aquila I; Cardiology Division, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.; Aramu S; Cardiology Division, San Martino Hospital, Oristano, Italy.; Avogadri E; Department of Cardiology, SS Trinità Hospital, Fossano, CN, Italy.; Azzaro G; Cardiology Division, Cardinal Massaia Hospital, Asti, Italy.; Badano L; Integrated Cardiovascular Diagnostic Division, Auxologico San Luca IRCCS Hospital, Milano, Italy.; Balducci A; Pediatric Cardiology Division, Polyclinico S. Orsola-Malpighi IRCCS Hospital, Bologna, Italy.; Ballocca F; Cardiology Division, Maria Vittoria Hospital, Torino, Italy.; Barbarossa A; Clinic of Cardiology and Arrhythmology, Marche University Hospital, Ancona, Italy.; Barbati G; Cardiology Division, St Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.; Barletta V; Cardiology 2 Department, Cardiac Vascular Thoracic Department, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.; Barone D; Cardiology Division, S. Andrea Hospital, La Spezia, Italy.; Becherini F; Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy.; Benfari G; Cardiology Division, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.; Beraldi M; Cardiology Division, ASST Mantova, Mantova, Italy.; Bergandi G; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Ivrea, TO, Italy.; Bilardo G; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital Fetre, Feltre, BL, Italy.; Binno SM; Cardiology Division, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, Piacenza, Italy.; Bolognesi M; Center for Internal Medicine and Sports Cardiology, Local Health Unit of Romagna, Cesena, FC, Italy.; Bongiovi S; Cardiology Division, Immacolata Concezione Civil Hospital, Piove di Sacco, PD, Italy.; Bragato RM; Echocardiography and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Division, Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, Rozzano, MI, Italy.; Braggion G; Cardiology Division, Santa Maria Regina degli Angeli Hospital, Adria, RO, Italy.; Brancaleoni R; Cardiology Division, A. Costa Civil Hospital, Porretta Terme, BO, Italy.; Bursi F; Department of Health Science, Cardiology Division, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milano, Italy.; Dessalvi CC; Cardiology Division, University Hospital of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.; Cameli M; Cardiology Division, Polyclinic Le Scotte Hospital, Siena, Italy.; Canu A; Cardiology Division, Santissima Annunziata Hospital, Sassari, Italy.; Capitelli M; Internal Medicine Division, Pavullo Hospital, Pavullo Nel Frignano, MO, Italy.; Capra ACM; Cardiological Diagnostics Division, Synlab San Nicolò Diagnostic Center, Lecco, Italy.; Carbonara R; Cardiology Division, Maugeri Institute IRCCS, Bari, Italy.; Carbone M; Emergency Medicine Division, St Anna and St Sebastiano Hospital, Caserta, Italy.; Carbonella M; Cardiology Division, SS Maria Addolorata Hospital, Eboli, SA, Italy.; Carrabba N; Cardiology Division, Careggi University Hospital, Firenze, Italy.; Casavecchia G; Cardiology Division, University Hospital Ospedali Riuniti, Foggia, Italy.; Casula M; Cardiology Division, Nostra Signora di Bonaria Hospital, San Gavino Monreale, SU, Italy.; Chesi E; Neonatology Division, S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy.; Cicco S; Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, Unit of Internal Medicine 'G. Baccelli' and Unit of Hypertension 'A.M. Pirrelli', University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, AUOC Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy.; Citro R; Echocardiography Division, University Hospital San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, Salerno, Italy.; Cocchia R; Rehabilitative Cardiology, Cardarelli Hospital, Napoli, Italy.; Colombo BM; Clinic of Emergency Medicine, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, Genoa, Italy.; Colonna P; Cardiology Division, Polyclinic Hospital, Bari, Italy.; Conte M; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.; Corrado G; Cardiology Division, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy.; Cortesi P; Cardioncology Division, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) 'Dino Amadori', Meldola, FC, Italy.; Cortigiani L; Cardiology Division, San Luca Hospital, Lucca, Italy.; Costantino MF; Cardiology Division, San Carlo Hospital, Potenza, Italy.; Cozza F; Cardiology Division, Poliambulanza Foundation Hospital, Brescia, Italy.; Cucchini U; Cardiology Division, San Bassiano Hospital, Bassano Del Grappa, VI, Italy.; D'Angelo M; Cardiology Division, Bonino Pulejo IRCCS Hospital, Messina, Italy.; Ros SD; Division of Cardiology, Riuniti Padova Sud Hospital, Monselice, PD, Italy.; D'Andrea F; Cardiology Division, St Andrea Hospital, Roma, Italy.; D'Andrea A; Cardiology Division, Umberto I Hospital, Nocera Inferiore, SA, Italy.; D'Auria F; Vascular - Endovascular Surgery Division, University Hospital San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, Salerno, Italy.; De Caridi G; Vascular Surgery Division, University Hospital Polyclinic G.Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.; De Feo S; Cardiology Division, P Pederzoli Hospital, Peschiera del Garda, VR, Italy.; De Matteis GM; Cardiology Division, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Roma, Italy.; De Vecchi S; Cardiology Division, Major University Hospital of Charity, Novara, Italy.; Giudice CD; Cardiology Division, AORN dei Colli, Monaldi Hospital, Napoli, Italy.; Dell'Angela L; Cardiology Division, Gorizia-Monfalcone Hospital, Gorizia, Italy.; Paoli LD; San Michele Clinic, Cardiological Intensive Care Unit, Maddaloni, CE, Italy.; Dentamaro I; Cardiology Division, Miulli Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, BA, Italy.; Destefanis P; Cardiology Division, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Italy.; Di Fulvio M; Cardiology-ICCU Division, Ss. Annunziata Hospital, Chieti, Italy.; Di Gaetano R; Cardiology Division, Bolzano Hospital, Bolzano, Italy.; Di Giannuario G; Cardiology Division, Infermi Hospital, Rimini, Italy.; Di Gioia A; Cardiology Division, St Giuliano Hospital, Giugliano in Campania, NA, Italy.; Di Martino LFM; Cardiology Division, Santa Maria degli Angeli Hospital, Putignano, BA, Italy.; Di Muro C; Sports Medicine Division, Livorno Hospital, Livorno, Italy.; Di Nora C; Cardiology Division, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy.; Di Salvo G; Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease Division, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy.; Dodi C; Cardiology Division, San Antonino Clinic, Piacenza, Italy.; Dogliani S; Cardiology Division, SS. Annunziata Civil Hospital, Savigliano, CN, Italy.; Donati F; Pascia Center, Polyclinic, Modena, Italy.; Dottori M; Cardiology Division, Marche University Hospital, Ancona, Italy.; Epifani G; Internal Medicine Division, Camberlingo Hospital, Francavilla Fontana, BR, Italy.; Fabiani I; Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy.; Ferrara F; Internal Medicine Division, University Hospital Modena Polyclinic, Modena, Italy.; Ferrara L; Cardiology Division, Villa Dei Fiori Clinic, Acerra, NA, Italy.; Ferrua S; Cardiology Division, Infermi Hospital, Rivoli, TO, Italy.; Filice G; Cardiology Division, Annunziata Hospital, Cosenza, Italy.; Fiorino M; Cardiology Division, ARNAS Civico Hospital, Palermo, Italy.; Forno D; Cardiology Division, Maria Vittoria Hospital, Torino, Italy.; Garini A; Cardiology Division, Cremona Hospital, Cremona, Italy.; Giarratana GA; Cardiac Surgery Division, Polyclinico P. Giaccone Hospital, Palermo, Italy.; Gigantino G; Cardiology Division, University Hospital San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, Salerno, Italy.; Giorgi M; Cardiology Division, Molinette Hospital - Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy.; Giubertoni E; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Guastalla, RE, Italy.; Greco CA; Cardiology Division, Veris Delli Ponti Hospital, Scorrano, LE, Italy.; Grigolato M; Polycardiography Division, Civil Hospital, Brescia, Italy.; Marra WG; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Ivrea, TO, Italy.; Holzl A; Internal Medicine Division, Quisisana Clinic, Ferrara, Italy.; Iaiza A; Cardiac Surgery Division, San Camillo-Fornalinini Hospital, Roma, Italy.; Iannaccone A; Internal Medicine Division, Ordine Mauriziano Hospital, Torino, Italy.; Ilardi F; Cardiology Division, Federico II University Hospital, Napoli, Italy.; Imbalzano E; Internal Medicine Division, University Hospital Polyclinic G.Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.; Inciardi R; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Brescia, Italy.; Inserra CA; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Legnano, MI, Italy.; Iori E; Cardiology Division, New Civil Hospital, Sassuolo, MO, Italy.; Izzo A; Cardiology Division, St Anna and St Sebastiano Hospital, Caserta, Italy.; Rosa G; Cardiology Division, St Barbara Hospital, Gela, CL, Italy.; Labanti G; Cardiology Division, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.; Lanzone AM; Cardiology Division, San Rocco Clinical Institute, Ome, BS, Italy.; Lanzoni L; Cardiology Division, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria IRCCS Hospital, Verona, Italy.; Lapetina O; Cardiology Division, San Carlo Hospital, Melfi, PZ, Italy.; Leiballi E; Cardiological and Cardio Oncological Rehabilitation Department, Sacile (PN) CRO (PN) Hospital, Sacile (PN), Italy.; Librera M; Cardiology Division, Mediterranea Clinic, Napoli, Italy.; Conte CL; Cardiology Division, St Ottone Frangipane Hospital, Ariano Irpino, AV, Italy.; Monaco ML; Cardiology Division, Humanitas Gavazzeni Hospital, Bergamo, Italy.; Lombardo A; Cardiology Division, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Università Cattolica, Roma, Italy.; Luciani M; Cardiology Division, Belcolle Hospital, Viterbo, Italy.; Lusardi P; Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Division, Maria Pia Hospital, Torino, Italy.; Magnante A; Cardiology Division, Madonna delle Grazie Hospital, Matera, Italy.; Malagoli A; Division of Cardiology, Nephro-Cardiovascular Department, Baggiovara Hospital, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.; Malatesta G; Cardiology Division, IRCCS INRCA Hospital, Ancona, Italy.; Mancusi C; Hypertension Center, Federico II University Hospital, Napoli, Italy.; Manes MT; Cardiology Division, St Francesco Hospital, Paola, CS, Italy.; Manganelli F; Cardiology Division, St Giuseppe Moscati Hospital, Avellino, Italy.; Mantovani F; Cardiology Division, Azienda USL- IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.; Manuppelli V; Cardiology Division, University Hospital Ospedali Riuniti, Foggia, Italy.; Marchese V; Cardiology Division, St Maria della Speranza Hospital, Battipaglia, SA, Italy.; Marinacci L; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Città di Castello, PG, Italy.; Mattioli R; Cardiology Division, IRCCS Multimedica Hospital, Sesto San Giovanni, MI, Italy.; Maurizio C; Cardiology Division, European Institute of Oncology, Milano, Italy.; Mazza GA; Pediaric Cardiology Division, Regina Margherita Hospital - Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy.; Mazza S; Cardiology Division, Maggiore St Andrea Hospital, Vercelli, Italy.; Melis M; Cardiology Division, Brotzu Hospital, Cagliari, Italy.; Meloni G; Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy of Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Complications, St Camillo Hospital, Sassari, Italy.; Merli E; Cardiology Division, Degli Infermi Hospital, Faenza, RA, Italy.; Milan A; Internal Medicine 4 Department, Molinette Hospital - Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy.; Minardi G; Echolab, Salvator Mundi International Hospital, Roma, Italy.; Monaco A; Cardiology Outpatient Clinic, Cardiology Outpatient Clinic, Civitanova Marche, MC, Italy.; Monte I; Cardiology Division, University Hospital Polyclinic 'G.Rodolico-S. Marco', University of Catania, Catania, Italy.; Montresor G; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Gavardo, BS, Italy.; Moreo A; De Gasperis Cardio Center, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy.; Mori F; Non-invasive Cardiovascular Diagnostic Division, Careggi University Hospital, Firenze, Italy.; Morini S; Cardiology Division, Riuniti della Valdichiana Hospital, Montepulciano, SI, Italy.; Moro C; Cardiology Division, Pio XI Hospital, Desio, MB, Italy.; Morrone D; Cardiology Division, Cisanello University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.; Negri F; Cardiology Division, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy.; Nipote C; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Sant'Agata di Militello, ME, Italy.; Nisi F; Anesthesia and Intensive Care Division, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, MI, Italy.; Nocco S; Cardiology Division, Sirai Hospital, Carbonia, CI, Italy.; Novello L; Geriatric Division, Valdagno Hospital, Arzignano, VI, Italy.; Nunziata L; Cardiology Division, St Maria della Pietà Hospital, Nola, NA, Italy.; Perini AP; Cardiology Division, St Maria Nuova Hospital, Firenze, Italy.; Parodi A; Cardiology Division, Padre Antero Micone Hospital, Genova, Italy.; Pasanisi EM; Cardiology Division, Livorno Hospital, Livorno, Italy.; Pastorini G; Cardiology Division, Regina Montis Regalis Hospital, Mondovì, CN, Italy.; Pavasini R; Cardiology Division, St Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.; Pavoni D; Cardiology Division, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy.; Pedone C; Cardiology Division, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy.; Pelliccia F; Cardiology Division, Umberto I Hospital, Roma, Italy.; Pelliciari G; Internal Medicine Division, Gruppioni Clinic, Pianoro, BO, Italy.; Pelloni E; Cardiology Division, Parini Hospital, Aosta, Italy.; Pergola V; Cardiology Division, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy.; Perillo G; Cardiology Division, Celio Military Polyclinic, Roma, Italy.; Petruccelli E; Cardiology Division, S. Giacomo Hospital, Monopoli, BA, Italy.; Pezzullo C; Cardiology Division, G.B. Grassi Hospital, Lido di Ostia, RM, Italy.; Piacentini G; Fetal and Neonatal Cardiology Unit - Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina Gemelli Isola Hospital, Roma, Italy.; Picardi E; Cardiology Division, Civic Hospital, Chivasso, TO, Italy.; Pinna G; Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Division, San Camillo-Fornalinini Hospital, Roma, Italy.; Pizzarelli M; Cardiology Outpatient Clinic, Quisisana Clinic, Ferrara, Italy.; Pizzuti A; Cardiology Outpatient Clinic, Koelliker Hospital, Torino, Italy.; Poggi MM; Interdisciplinary Internal Medicine Division, Careggi University Hospital, Firenze, Italy.; Posteraro A; Cardiology Division, St Giovanni Evangelista Hospital, Tivoli, RM, Italy.; Privitera C; Pediatric Division, St Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy.; Rampazzo D; Cardiology Division, Madonna della Navicella Hospital, Chioggia, VE, Italy.; Ratti C; Cardiology Division, St Maria Bianca Hospital, Mirandola, MO, Italy.; Rettegno S; Cardiology Division, Hospital, Moncalieri, TO, Italy.; Ricci F; Cardiology Division, Ss. Annunziata Hospital, Chieti, Italy.; Ricci C; Cardiology Outpatient Clinic, Casa della Salute 'Regina Margherita', Castelfranco Emilia, MO, Italy.; Rolando C; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Ciriè, TO, Italy.; Rossi S; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Lavagna, GE, Italy.; Rovera C; Cardiology Division, Civic Hospital, Chivasso, TO, Italy.; Ruggieri R; Cardiology Division, Di Venere Hospital, Bari, Italy.; Russo MG; Pediatric Cardiology Division, AORN dei Colli, Monaldi Hospital, Napoli, Italy.; Sacchi N; Medical Division, St Agostino Hospital, Castiglione del Lago, PG, Italy.; Saladino A; Cardiology Division, Giovanni Paolo II Hospital, Sciacca, AG, Italy.; Sani F; Cardiology Division, St Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Firenze, Italy.; Sartori C; Cardiology Division, Santi Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo Hospital, Alessandria, Italy.; Scarabeo V; Cardiology Division, Camposampiero Hospital, Camposampiero, PD, Italy.; Sciacqua A; Geriatric Division, University Hospital Mater Domini, Catanzaro, Italy.; Scillone A; Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Villa del Sole Clinic, Cosenza, Italy.; Scopelliti PA; Cardiology Division, Pesenti Fenaroli Hospital, Alzano Lombardo, BG, Italy.; Scorza A; Cardiology Division, Riuniti Anzio-Nettuno Hospital, Anzio, RM, Italy.; Scozzafava A; Cardiology Division, Pugliese Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.; Serafini F; Medical Division, Dell'Angelo Hospital, Mestre, VE, Italy.; Serra W; Cardiology Division, University Hospital, Parma, Italy.; Severino S; Cardiology Division, Cotugno Hospital, Napoli, Italy.; Simeone B; Cardiology Division, ICOT Marco Pasquali Clinic, Latina, Italy.; Sirico D; Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease Division, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy.; Solari M; Cardiology Division, St Giuseppe Hospital, Empoli, FI, Italy.; Spadaro GL; Cardiology Division, St Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.; Stefani L; Sports Medicine Division, Careggi University Hospital, Firenze, Italy.; Strangio A; Cardiology Division, St Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Crotone, Italy.; Surace FC; Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology Division, Marche University Hospital, Ancona, Italy.; Tamborini G; Cardiology Division, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milano, Italy.; Tarquinio N; Internal Medicine Division, IRCCS INRCA Hospital, Osimo AN, Italy.; Tassone EJ; Echocardiography and Ergometry Laboratory, Medicare, Lamezia Terme, CZ, Italy.; Tavarozzi I; Cardiology Division, Ferdinando Veneziale Hospital, Isernia, Italy.; Tchana B; Pediatric Cardiology Division, University Hospital, Parma, Italy.; Tedesco G; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Bitonto BA, Italy.; Tinto M; Cardiology Division, Mater Salutis Hospital, Legnago, VR, Italy.; Torzillo D; Internal Medicine Division, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.; Totaro A; Cardiology Division, Gemelli Molise Hospital, Campobasso, Italy.; Triolo OF; Cardiology Division, Polyclinico P. Giaccone Hospital, Palermo, Italy.; Troisi F; Cardiology Division, Miulli Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, BA, Italy.; Tusa M; Cardiology Division, St Donato Polyclinic, San Donato Milanese MI, Italy.; Vancheri F; Medical Division, St Elia Hospital, Caltanissetta, Italy.; Varasano V; Internal and Emergency Medicine Division, Civil Hospital, Policoro MT, Italy.; Venezia A; Geriatric Division, Miulli Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, BA, Italy.; Vermi AC; Cardiology Division, Civil Hospital, Castel San Giovanni, PC, Italy.; Villari B; Cardiology Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Benevento, Italy.; Zampi G; Cardiology Division, Belcolle Hospital, Viterbo, Italy.; Zannoni J; Cardiology Division, St Donato Polyclinic, San Donato Milanese MI, Italy.; Zito C; Cardiology Division, University Hospital Polyclinic G.Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.; Zugaro A; Department of Cardiology, Intensive Care Unit, St Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy.; Di Bella G; Cardiology Division, University Hospital Polyclinic G.Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.; Carerj S; Cardiology Division, University Hospital Polyclinic G.Martino, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Source
Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health-Medknow Country of Publication: India NLM ID: 101562228 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 2211-4122 (Print) Linking ISSN: 22114122 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Cardiovasc Echogr Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2211-4122
Abstract
Background: The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand better how different echocardiographic modalities are used and accessed in Italy.
Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website.
Results: Data were obtained from 228 echocardiographic laboratories: 112 centers (49%) in the northern, 43 centers (19%) in the central, and 73 (32%) in the southern regions. During the month of observation, we collected 101,050 transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) examinations performed in all centers. As concern other modalities there were performed 5497 transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examinations in 161/228 centers (71%); 4057 stress echocardiography (SE) examinations in 179/228 centers (79%); and examinations with ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) in 151/228 centers (66%). We did not find significant regional variations between the different modalities. The usage of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) was significantly higher in the northern (84%) versus central (49%) and southern (45%) centers ( P < 0.001). Lung ultrasound (LUS) was performed in 154 centers (66%), without difference between cardiology and noncardiology centers. The evaluation of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was evaluated mainly using the qualitative method in 223 centers (94%), occasionally with the Simpson method in 193 centers (85%), and with selective use of the three-dimensional (3D) method in only 23 centers (10%). 3D TTE was present in 137 centers (70%), and 3D TEE in all centers where TEE was done (71%). The assessment of LV diastolic function was done routinely in 80% of the centers. Right ventricular function was evaluated using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion in all centers, using tricuspid valve annular systolic velocity by tissue Doppler imaging in 53% of the centers, and using fractional area change in 33% of the centers. When we divided into cardiology (179, 78%) and noncardiology (49, 22%) centers, we found significant differences in the SE (93% vs. 26%, P < 0.001), TEE (85% vs. 18%), UCA (67% vs. 43%, P < 0001), and STE (87% vs. 20%, P < 0.001). The incidence of LUS evaluation was similar between the cardiology and noncardiology centers (69% vs. 61%, P = NS).
Conclusions: This nationwide survey demonstrated that digital infrastructures and advanced echocardiography modalities, such as 3D and STE, are widely available in Italy with a notable diffuse uptake of LUS in the core TTE examination, a suboptimal diffusion of PACS recording, and conservative use of UCA, 3D, and strain. There are significant differences between northern and central-southern regions and echocardiographic laboratories that pertain to the cardiac unit. This inhomogeneous distribution of technology represents one of the main issues that must be solved to standardize the practice of echocardiography.
Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.
(Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Cardiovascular Echography.)