Researchers From More Than 30 Countries Share Findings About the Use of Ultrasound in the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Disease

MONTREAL, June 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The world's leading researchers in cardiovascular medicine will present their most-recent findings at the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) 22nd Annual Scientific Sessions, June 11-14, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  Many of this year's presentations will significantly impact the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and the utilization of cardiovascular ultrasound.

To view the full text of the press releases, please visit the "ASE Press Room" link on the Society's Website, asecho.org.

One of this year's top studies, presented by scientists from St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, discovered that echocardiography could improve the success rate of gene therapy and increase growth, function and sustainability of regenerated vessels. The research revealed that echo-guided gene therapy is beneficial for individuals suffering from chronic vascular disease and could potentially translate to improved quality of life for hundreds of thousands of North Americans suffering from peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease.

In another study, childhood obesity was identified as an important factor in the progression to heart failure. Researchers found that new non-invasive heart ultrasound techniques will help to identify changes in the heart muscle function that occurs before a child shows signs of cardiac problems.

"There is a great interest in identifying and studying factors that lead to cardiac dysfunction," said Dr. Gautam Singh, a pediatric cardiologist and lead researcher of the study at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. "Our ability to identify specific health risk factors in adults that are a result of childhood obesity will hopefully sound an alarm to the millions of Americans with children."

Finally, a group of German researchers will show how echocardiography can help predict how the right ventricle will respond to implantation of a mechanical left ventricular support. This study further proves that echo used in pre-operative evaluation gives physicians more information for critical decisions.

Participants from 38 countries are registered to attend this year's event.  The Scientific Sessions will feature prominent speakers from the European Society of Echocardiography, the Japanese Society of Echocardiography as well as faculty from U.S. major medical institutions including: the Cleveland Clinic, Duke University, the Mayo Clinic, the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Chicago.

About the American Society of Echocardiography

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is a professional organization of physicians, cardiac sonographers, nurses and scientists involved in echocardiography, the use of ultrasound to image the heart and cardiovascular system. The organization was founded in 1975 and is the largest international organization for cardiovascular ultrasound imaging. For more information on ASE, visit www.asecho.org or ASE's public information site, www.SeeMyHeart.org.

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Cathy Kerr
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SOURCE American Society of Echocardiography