EAE laboratory standards and accreditation

Laboratory standards have been set by the European Association of Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology, in order to homogenize the practice of echocardiography in Europe and therefore ultimately, to protect patients. These standards have been developed for transthoracic, transesophageal and stress Echocardiography into two levels; the basic level, set to provide basic laboratory standards for an optimal clinical service and the advanced level, which is set to establish a fewer number of advanced laboratories in each country, where by in addition to basic standards, they may be providing extensive teaching and research. (C) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The European Society of Cardiology.