RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAINING IN PERFORMANCE AND INTERPRETATION OF STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Stress echocardiography has emerged as a clinically useful procedure i n the management of patients with ischemic heart disease and other con ditions. However, the accuracy of this test relies on the ability of t hose who carry out the technical aspects of the test and depends criti cally on proper interpretation of the images. Appreciation of wall mot ion abnormalities is generally acknowledged as one of the most difficu lt skills to master in echocardiography. There is consensus that this is also one of the most difficult skills to teach. Appreciating stress -induced changes in wall motion, which sometimes are subtle, requires a significant commitment to initial training in this skill and its mai ntenance.(1,2) This document provides recommendations for physician tr aining in stress echocardiography.