A computer based interactive learning and reference tool for transthoracic echocardiographic images

Interactive multimedia can be used as a valuable educational tool. Echocardiography being a video image based procedure which requires a great amount of experience and expertise could be ideally taught using such an approach. We thus created an Apple Macintosh based system which allows the rapid retrieval of digitally acquired cineloops from a database of cases through a user friendly interface. Each case includes standard cut planes, M-mode, continuous wave- (CW), pulsed wave- (PW) and color Doppler. For each study a complete documentation including the case history, and the echocardiographic report is provided. Superimposed labels on the video images highlight anatomic and pathologic features. The system can be used as a training device, for the follow-up of patients or for the projection of studies during scientific sessions, lectures and seminars. Future perspectives include the integration of tutorial video- and sound clips and animated graphics. In addition the studies could be made available to a greater audience using internet access or CD ROM mastering.