The cardiac ultrasound laboratory accredited by the Society of Cardiology
Uccle, January 15, 2025 – The Europe Hospitals are proud to announce that they are the first hospital in French-speaking Belgium to receive accreditation from the European Society of Cardiology for their cardiac ultrasound laboratory.** This achievement is the result of a dedicated team effort, coordinated by Dr. Asefeh Defaee, a cardiologist specialized in echocardiography and Deputy Medical Director.
"As a non-university hospital, this accreditation demonstrates that we meet the same standards as university hospitals, ensuring our patients receive the same quality of care. This accreditation is granted for a period of five years," says Dr. Asefeh Defaee.
Dr. Defaee highlights the importance of a cardiac ultrasound laboratory: "Patients who undergo a cardiac ultrasound in our laboratory receive a more thorough evaluation, with a complete set of measurements recorded," she explains. "This is a standalone examination, separate from a standard cardiology consultation where basic echography is performed."
Such precise cardiac assessments prove invaluable in various situations, such as the investigation of heart murmurs, the diagnosis and management of valvular heart diseases, or the diagnosis and follow-up of heart failure. "In practical terms, cardiology colleagues, other specialists, and general practitioners refer patients to us for more detailed evaluations when anomalies are detected or, for instance, to monitor oncology patients due to the cardiotoxicity of their treatments," Dr. Defaee notes.
"During the accreditation process, the hospital must document 250 cases, demonstrate its ability to produce systematic reports with all measured parameters, ensure data is comparable across examinations, and address numerous requirements regarding staff, equipment, patient numbers, data storage, and more," Dr. Defaee explains. This accreditation was made possible thanks to the collaborative effort of a team of five cardiologists specialized in echocardiography. They operate across both clinic sites, which are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, providing high-quality care for patients.
Dr. Defaee emphasizes that cardiac ultrasound is increasingly becoming a distinct field within cardiology, alongside angiography and electrophysiology. "Previously, cardiology was divided simply into interventional and non-interventional branches. Today, we see further specialization, with cardiac ultrasound carving out its own niche in the field," she concludes.
