WATCH: DeBakey Center Launches First Microlearning Module on Interatrial Septum Assessment

The Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center has debuted a new microlearning video series aimed at helping echocardiographers sharpen specific skills in adult congenital heart disease, beginning with a focused tutorial on interatrial septum assessment and atrial septal defects (ASDs).

The inaugural 10-minute video features Houston Methodist echocardiography educator Alicia Rangosch demonstrating transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) techniques for evaluating the interatrial septum. The emphasis is on detecting ostium secundum ASDs, one of the most common but often underdiagnosed congenital heart defects by TTE.

"These brief, high-yield tutorials are designed for cardiologists, sonographers and general practitioners who want to build core echocardiographic skills," said Dr. Miguel Quinones, one of the faculty contributors to the video series.

ASDs occur when there is an abnormal opening in the wall between the heart's two upper chambers, allowing blood to flow between the atria. Ostium secundum ASD, the most frequent subtype, stems from an incomplete closure of the septum primum over the fossa ovalis. While small ASDs may remain asymptomatic, larger or undiagnosed defects can lead to serious complications such as right heart enlargement, arrhythmias, strokes or pulmonary hypertension.

The video walks viewers through preferred imaging windows and techniques — including left and right parasternals long and short axis, apical four-chamber, subcostal views and the use of sweeps — with both simulator-based 3D models and real-time 2D echo footage. Case examples illustrate small and large ASDs under varying pulmonary pressures, highlighting the importance of shunt direction, Doppler sampling and frame-rate optimization.

This is the first installment in a larger digital learning library, reinforcing Houston Methodist's commitment to advancing cardiovascular education through practical, accessible tools. Additional resources are available through the Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal.