http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/25759/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/33403/ 2011-06-13T00:00:00Z Background: Despite extensive use in practice, the impact of noninvasive cardiovascular imaging in primary prevention remains unclear. Methods: We searched for randomized trials that compared imaging with usual care and reported any of the following outcomes in a primary prevention setting: medication prescribing, lifestyle modification (including diet, exercise, or smoking cessation), angiography, or revascularization. Results: Seven trials were included. Trials screened patients for inducible myocardial ischemia (2 trials), coronary calcification (3 trials), carotid atherosclerosis (1 trial), or left ventricular hypertrophy (1 trial). Imaging had no effect on medication prescribing overall (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-1.33) or on provision of lipid-modifying agents (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.58-2.01), antihypertensive drugs (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.75-1.47), or antiplatelet agents (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.84-1.32). Similarly, no effect was seen on dietary improvement (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.22-2.85), physical activity (0.02 vs-0.08 point change for imaging vs control on a 5-point scale; P=.23), or smoking cessation (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 0.97-5.19). Imaging was not associated with invasive an-giography (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.89-1.79). Conclusions: We found limited evidence suggesting that noninvasive cardiovascular imaging alters primary prevention efforts. However, given the imprecision of these results, further high-quality studies are needed. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/26385/ 2011-05-01T00:00:00Z The European Association of Echocardiography (EAE) has developed the present recommendations to assist clinical researchers in the design, implementation, and conduction of echocardiographic protocols for clinical trials and to guarantee their quality. Clinical trials should be designed and conducted based on the knowledge of the pathophysiology of the clinical condition studied, the technical characteristics of the echo-Doppler modalities, and the variability of the tested parameters. These procedures are important to choose the most reliable and reproducible techniques and parameters. Quality assurance must be guaranteed by adequate training of peripheral site operators to obtain optimal echo-Doppler data and by using a core laboratory for accurate and reproducible data analysis. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/21051/ 2010-08-01T00:00:00Z Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a standard and indispensable technique in clinical practice. The present recommendations represent an update and extension of the recommendations published in 2001 by the Working Group on Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology. New developments covered include technical advances such as 3D transoesophageal echo as well as developing applications such as transoesophageal echo in aortic valve repair and in valvular interventions, as well as a full section on perioperative TOE. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/28539/ 2010-05-01T00:00:00Z Mitral and tricuspid are increasingly prevalent. Doppler echocardiography not only detects the presence of regurgitation but also permits to understand mechanisms of regurgitation, quantification of its severity and repercussions. The present document aims to provide standards for the assessment of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/28563/ 2010-04-01T00:00:00Z Valvular regurgitation represents an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Echocardiography has become the primary non-invasive imaging method for the evaluation of valvular regurgitation. The echocardiographic assessment of valvular regurgitation should integrate quantification of the regurgitation, assessment of the valve anatomy, and function as well as the consequences of valvular disease on cardiac chambers. In clinical practice, the management of patients with valvular regurgitation thus largely integrates the results of echocardiography. It is crucial to provide standards that aim at establishing a baseline list of measurements to be performed when assessing regurgitation. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/27088/ 2009-12-01T00:00:00Z The main mission statement of the European Association of Echocardiography (EAE) is 'to promote excellence in clinical diagnosis, research, technical development, and education in cardiovascular ultrasound in Europe'. As competence and quality control issues are increasingly recognized by patients, physicians, and payers, the EAE has established recommendations for training, competence, and quality improvement in echocardiography. The purpose of this document is to provide the requirements for training and competence in echocardiography, to outline the principles of quality measurement, and to recommend a set of measures for improvement, with the ultimate goal of raising the standards of echocardiographic practice in Europe.