Echo Courses 2026

Earn 16 hours of CPD, led by RCVS Specialists in Cardiology and Echocardiology.

Upcoming CPD…

HeartVets Echo CPD Practical Courses 2026

We are pleased to confirm the 2026 dates for our very popular Echo courses at New Country House Hotel, Cardiff.

Introduction to echocardiogaphy

This 2-day course covers the basics of ultrasound physics and machine setup, covering 2D and M-mode ultrasound. We will go through basic right-sided echo views and discuss common pathologies in dogs and cats. The course is a mixture of lectures and practical scanning (roughly half of the course time is spent scanning) on high-quality equipment (GE Vivid IQ systems). Delegates are welcome to bring their own machines. 

We spread the course out over a month, to give candidates time to practice what they have learned on day 1 before cementing their learning on day 2. We always have small groups with no more than 6 people per lecturer/demonstrator on the practical sessions. Candidates will leave knowing how to acquire basic measurements (LA/Ao, LVIDD) and assess common pathologies in small animal cardiology.

This course is suitable for someone entirely new to ultrasound and cardiology, or for those wanting a refresher in the basics. Vets and nurses are welcome to attend. We host the course in a lovely hotel with fantastic food and a great teaching environment.

Next steps in echocardiography

This 2-day course takes delegates with some experience of echocardiography and goes into much more detail about ultrasound physics and imaging techniques, including the use of Doppler echo. The course teaches a standardised approach to the echocardiographic examination including subcostal and left-sided views along with use of colour-flow and spectral Doppler. An approach to congenital echo and measurement of cardiac pressures and function will be discussed. As with the Intro course, we spread the course over a month to allow delegates time to practice between sessions. The course is roughly 50/50 split between lectures and practical scanning on high-quality equipment (GE Vivid IQ systems). Delegates are welcome to bring their own machines. We always have small groups with no more than 6 people per lecturer/demonstrator on the practical sessions. Candidates will leave knowing how to acquire standard cardiac measurements of chamber size and volume, Doppler velocities and measures of systolic and diastolic function.

This course is aimed at those with some experience of echocardiography and cardiology; candidates should be able to acquire and measure standard right-sided views (eg LA/Ao, left-ventricular M-mode). Vets and nurses are welcome to attend. We host the course in a lovely hotel with fantastic food and a great teaching environment.

Programme features

Introduction to echocardiography: 23 Sept (part 1) and 21 Oct (part 2)

Next steps in echocardiography: 14 Oct (part 1) and 4 Nov (part 2)

Arrival 8.45am, start time 9am and finish 5pm.

New Country House Hotel, Thornhill, Cardiff, CF14 9UA

Speaker biography

West Highland White Terrier dog wearing a Holter monitor and vest

Will

Expert Vet

Read more about Will here.

Previous events

Expert-led CPD delivered in an inspiring coastal setting: it’s easy to see why CPD Surfari is a firm favourite with returning delegates.

I had a fabulous time and learned so much!

It was amazing!

A black and white dog
dog on an echo table