Welcome to ASE's Digital Zone

One of the most important values of echocardiography is the ability to capture graphic motion images that can be easily visualized by health care providers and patients alike. Until recently, this value was practically lost in endless loops of videotapes that were destined to be lost or forgotten after recording. Technological advances today permit to register moving images in digital format, allowing logical archival, rapid data retrieval, copy and transfer, off-line quantitative analysis, side-by-side comparison and simultaneous review by multiple users almost in real time.

The American Society of Echocardiography recognized the value of digital echocardiography and established a task force to educate the echocardiographic community. In collaboration with the National Engineering Manufacturing Association (NEMA) and the Digital Images and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) they help to develop a standard image format. Most laboratories are quickly recognizing the value of digital echocardiography but many have limited knowledge about the process of conversion while others are concerned about quality or data loss. The purpose of this website is to provide a forum to educate the echocardiographic community who is seeking to convert their practice from analog to digital, and to provide assistance and resources to those who have already started but wish to optimize the process.

Feigenbaum H. Digital recording, display, and storage of echocardiograms. J AmSoc Echocardiogr 1988; 1:378-383.

. Thomas JD, Khandheria B. Digital formatting standards in medical imaging: A primer for echocardiographers. J Am Soc Echo 1994;7:100-104.

What does a networked system look like? Click here for a diagram with definitions.

How are digital conversions going? Check out these profiles!

Click here to go back to our graphical representation of a digital echo lab.

ASE wishes to thank the Industry members of the DigitalZone Task Force:

Biosound Esaote

Camtronics

GE Healthcare

Philips Medical Systems

SIEMENS Medical Solutions

Recommended Reading - Download these interesting articles:

The Digital Echocardiographic Laboratory: Clinical Benefits and Improved Efficiency at the Michigan Congenital Heart Center - Applications in Cardiac Imaging
Achi Ludomirsky, MD - Download PDF of Article

Dr. Ludomirsky is a Professor of Pediatrics and the Director of Echocardiography, Michigan Congenital Heart Center, University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, MI. This article contains a great description and interesting pictures.

Understanding the Need for and Use of Digital Echocardiography
Geoffrey A. Rose, MD, FASE - Download PDF of Article

Dr. Rose is the director of the Cardiac Ultrasound Laboratory Sanger Clinic/Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC. This is a great introductory paper on the digital lab.

Please let us know your thoughts on DigitalZone- contact Hilary Lamb at hlamb@asecho.org.