Report of the inter-Society Commission for Heart Disease Resources. Optimal resources for ultrasonic examination of the heart.

The echocardiographic examination is described and the current status of ultrasound in cardiac diagnosis is summarized. Planning guidelines are provided for hospital based echocardiography laboratories including resource criteria for professional personnel and training, equipment, space, and support systems. Minimal case loads for maintaining quality performance of the examiner are recommended and various administrative patterns for organizing an echocardiography service are discussed. Approaches for establishing professional fees and emerging applications of diagnostic ultrasound in cardiovascular medicine are briefly reviewed. There is a description of the procedure for conducting an adequate echocardiographic examination in children and adults.