Echocardiography Laboratory

The UCLA pediatric echocardiography laboratory is a full-service, state of the art imaging program providing all facets of congenital cardiac ultrasound imaging in both the inpatient and outpatient setting for UCLA congenital heart disease patients. This includes transthoracic, transesophageal, epicardial, and fetal echocardiography. Multiple areas on campus utilize the labs services including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and intensive care units, catheterization laboratories, and the operating rooms. 

The laboratory staff includes the medical director, Gary M Satou, MD FASE, Greg Perens, MD, Sonia Voleti, MD, Gigi Ganieva, MD, Nancy Halnon, MD, and principal cardiac sonographer/technical director Karen Ambrowitz RDCS. There are six full time pediatric cardiac sonographers with expertise and specialty training in congenital cardiac echocardiography. The program is accredited by the IAC (Intersocietal Accreditation Commission) in all three forms of imaging (transthoracic, transesophageal, and fetal). Digitization of image acquisition, reporting, and storage has been present for more than two decades and integrates well with the UCLA health EMR. Cloud-based technology is used for facile transfer and review of off-site imaging for general patient care, second opinion programs, and transfer of care admissions. 

The echocardiography laboratory utilizes advanced equipment and technology from several different vendors (Philips, GE, Siemens) for the performance of 2D and Doppler transthoracic imaging, tissue Doppler analysis, 3D echocardiography, and myocardial deformation/strain evaluation. Advanced pediatric echocardiography services also include transesophageal echocardiography. A close relationship exists with the advanced cross sectional imaging program at UCLA which includes cardiac CT, cardiac MRI, perfusion imaging and 3D modeling and printing. Greg Perens MD is the lead for the 3D modeling, printing, and virtual reality program and Paul Finn, MD, an international expert in cardiovascular MRI imaging and technology, directs the congenital cardiac cross-sectional imaging and research programs. In addition to conducting echocardiography services and clinical research, teaching and training is an integral part of the cardiac imaging program overall with seven pediatric cardiology fellows rotating through the echocardiography laboratory, learning both basic and advanced imaging skills over time. Weekly echocardiographic and imaging didactics occur and cover the breadth of congenital cardiac lesions with an emphasis on imaging. As well, twice weekly  pediatric cardiology/cardiovascular surgery joint patient conferences are organized for presentation by our laboratory medical staff and fellows, ensuring optimal patient care and also serving as excellent learning experiences for the trainees.