Cardiac ultrasound

Course objective for Basic FATE


The objective for the Basic FATE course is to provide the attendees with basic echocardiographic skills for the non-cardiologist in order to perform cardiopulmonary evaluation and optimization

After the course:

• You will know the normal sonographic features of the heart, inferior vena cava and pleura
• You will be able to obtain the basic FATE views
• You will be familiar with M-mode (motion-mode) for assessment of
cardiac dimensions and function
• You will know about and can recognize the characteristics of the most
important pathologies
• You can put the echocardiographic findings into the clinical context

Image missing
The image shows the four images obtained from the three cardiac windows in the FATE examination.

Equipment and skills


Basic understanding of the ultrasound system user controls is a prerequisite for learning FATE

Before you start clinical FATE scanning it is important to become familiar with the probe (or transducer) and the user interface of the ultrasound system

Image missing

Focus Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE)


FATE is an acronym for “Focus Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography”

FATE is the original focused echo protocol for all physicians – practiced since 1989

FATE is easily and quickly learned and can be applied in all clinical scenarios – e.g. pre-, intra-, and postoperatively, intensive care medicine, emergencies, and resuscitation

FATE can be performed with the patient in the sitting position

The FATE card (see figure) also encompasses quick guidance in the interpretation of the echocardiographic findings and their application in the clinical context

FATE can be performed in all locations: OR, ICU, emergency room, pre-hospital, ambulance, in-flight, patient’s home – there are no limitations

Image missing
You can download the FATE card from: usabcd.org/FATE-card