The Cardiovascular Imaging Echo (CVI) Core Laboratory at the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute analyzes echocardiographic information from clinical trials and studies. Our physicians and sonographers at Cleveland Clinic:
- are recognized nationally and internationally as leaders in all of the main fields of echocardiography;
- are uniquely qualified to quantitatively analyze echocardiographic research studies;
- use a consistent set of definitions and have the training required to perform quantitative wall motion, function, strain analysis, Euler equation and valvular assessments.
Echocardiograms are measured using American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. Senior registered/registry eligible sonographers do quantitative measurements.
The Echo Core Lab has extensive experience in providing analysis for clinical echocardiographic trials. Our experience ranges from studies as small as 40 to as large as 4000 echocardiographic exams. This experience includes but is not limited to:
- assessment of left ventricular mass, left ventricular function
- wall motion scoring and analysis
- echocardiographic analysis of drug and/or device trials
- transpulmonary echo contrast grading and analysis
- valve repair/replacement
- electrophysiology devices
- heart failure/heart transplantation
- intra-operative trials involving ventricular assist devices
- aortic atheroma
- prosthetic valves
- other areas include neurology, oncology and hypertension studies
Echocardiographic protocols are developed and customized for each project. These protocols instruct the collaborating centers on the minimum echocardiographic requirements for patients in the trial
Dedicated core lab echocardiographic equipment consists of digital image archiving (storage/retrieval), digital imaging network and electronic image analysis tools.
Contact:
Annitta J. Morehead, BA, RDCS - Manager
(216) 445-7673
morehea @ ccf.org