Pediatric Echocardiography Update 2026

Saturday, April 11, 2026  6:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (CST) 
Basic course (HYBRID FORMAT) 

Saturday, May 16, 2026  8 a.m. - 1 p.m. (CST)
Advanced course (VIRTUAL ONLY) 

The Pediatric Echocardiography Update (PEU) is a long‑standing educational program that has been offered annually for over two decades, reflecting Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago’s ongoing commitment to excellence in education and clinical care. Designed for a multidisciplinary audience, PEU delivers high‑quality, practical education that supports healthcare professionals in advancing echocardiographic knowledge and skills, with the goal of improving patient care and outcomes. 
 
This year, we are pleased to offer the PEU as a two‑part educational series, providing comprehensive learning opportunities for participants at all stages of training and practice. Whether reinforcing foundational principles or exploring advanced imaging strategies for complex congenital heart disease, this expanded format ensures meaningful educational content for every learner.

Course Description

Basic Course- Foundational Principles in Practice 
The Basic Course focuses on the core principles of pediatric echocardiography, emphasizing a systematic, segmental approach to cardiac anatomy and image acquisition. Designed for sonographers, trainees, and clinicians seeking to strengthen their foundational skills, this course highlights how echocardiography is used to accurately define intracardiac relationships and structural anatomy across a broad range of congenital heart conditions. 

Through expert‑led lectures and optional hands‑on scanning, participants will build confidence in applying foundational echocardiographic concepts to clinical practice, establishing a strong framework that supports advanced learning and lifelong clinical growth. 

An optional small group, hands-on scanning workshop, led by experienced senior cardiac sonographers, will provide participants the opportunity to apply fundamental concepts in a supervised, interactive setting. This session focuses on optimizing imaging techniques, reinforcing anatomy recognition, and translating lecture content into practical scanning skills.  
Space is limited to 25 participants and is available for inperson attendees only. 

AGENDA – For detailed information about our presenters and curriculum.

Advanced Course - Imaging of Complex Congenital Heart Disease Across the Lifespan  
The advanced course is designed for experienced sonographers and clinicians seeking deeper insight into the imaging challenges associated with complex congenital heart disease. This course explores advanced echocardiographic assessment of conditions such as transposition of the great arteries, double outlet right ventricle, single ventricle physiology, and heterotaxy, with an emphasis on multimodality cardiovascular imaging. 

Participants will examine imaging considerations from fetal diagnosis through post‑intervention and post‑surgical care, gaining a clearer understanding of anatomic complexity, surgical planning, and expected post‑repair findings. Through case‑based discussion and expert perspectives, this course supports advanced clinical decision‑making and longitudinal patient care. 

AGENDA – For detailed information about our presenters and curriculum.

Target Audience and Course Objectives 

Cardiac sonographers and sonography students, cardiologists, cardiology fellows, neonatologists, intensivists, advanced practice providers, residents, and medical students interested in cardiology, as well as healthcare providers interested in cardiac pointofcare ultrasound (POCUS). 

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify and classify pediatric echocardiography imaging windows and apply the segmental approach to evaluate cardiac anatomy.
• Analyze common and complex congenital heart defects by interpreting transthoracic and fetal echocardiographic findings.
• Differentiate postoperative and preoperative imaging features and evaluate hemodynamics relevant to surgical and interventional decision‑making.
• Integrate advanced imaging modalities into clinical practice and adapt imaging techniques for diverse congenital heart disease presentations.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to prioritize key echocardiographic findings and support evidence‑based management across pediatric and adult congenital populations.

Accreditation Statement 

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement - For Basic Course (4/11/26)

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine designates this live and enduring activity for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Credit Designation Statement - For Advanced Course (5/16/26)

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Credit Designation Statement - For BOTH Basic and Advanced Courses

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine designates this live and enduring activity for a maximum of 12.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Conference Costs

Register Here

Register before March 7, 2026 to receive early registration discount. 
Regular registration for the basic course will close Wednesday, April 8, 2026 11:59:59 PM CST
Regular registration for the advanced course will close Thursday May 14, 11:59:59 PM CST

Single Course Registration (Basic or Advanced) 

Lecture Only (InPerson or Virtual) 

• Early Registration: $150
• Standard Registration: $175

Bundled Registration (Basic + Advanced Courses) 

Lecture Only (InPerson or Virtual) 

• Early Registration: $225 
• Standard Registration: $275 

Hands-on scanning (in-person only, limited to 25) 

• $75 before February 26, 2026
• $100 after February 26, 2026

Lurie Children’s has a deep commitment to providing education for all. If you are registering from a low-income country click here, please email EchoEducation@luriechildrens.org for more information about discounted rates.

Refund Policy

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email to EchoEducation@luriechildrens.org. A $50 administrative fee will be retained for all approved refunds. To receive a refund of the remaining balance, written notice of cancellation must be received by March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Central Time). No refunds will be issued after this date, including for noshows. Refunds apply to registration fees only.  

Handson scanning workshop fees are nonrefundable, as space is limited. 

Parking and Public Transportation

Parking is available in the Huron-Superior garage, located at 225 E. Huron, with entrances on both Huron and Superior streets. Additional parking details.

For information on CTA Buses, CTA Trains and Metra Trains, please visit here.

Hotel

Discounted rooms are available at Hotel St. Clair, 162 East Ontario St. Chicago, IL.

Click here for rates: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital X Hotel Saint Clair. Discount code: ARHLC. 

Exhibitors

Download Exhibitor Agreement     Exhibitor Payment Form

Conference Information

Please contact Kathleen Nolan at EchoEducation@luriechildrens.org for additional information.