Darlene Flattmann is a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer with over 8 years of experience performing echocardiograms. She has worked at Providence St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, California since 2008 where she performs adult, pediatric, and neonatal echocardiograms. Her training includes a pediatric cardiac ultrasound externship at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and an 18-month echocardiography program at West Coast Ultrasound Institute. She is certified in adult, pediatric, and neonatal echocardiography.

1. Darlene A. Flattmann
Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
(RDCS: 130767)
1825 N. Wilton Place Phone: 818.456.6239
Los Angeles, CA 90028 Email: dflattmann@earthlink.net
Echocardiography Experience
Cardiac Sonographer Dec 2008-present
Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital
Burbank, California
ICAEL-certified lab
Adult (TTE, TEE, Exercise and Pharmacological Stress ), Pediatric, Newborn/Neonate
Echosonography
Adult TTE exams utilize an extensive, 60-point protocol, and include, but are not limited
to:
 Interrogating both systolic and diastolic functions of the LV
 Identifying the degree of MR utilizing ERO, PW in the pulmonary vein and visual
assessment
 Identifying the RVSP (via TR, and collapse of the IVC)
 Differentiating via measurements Primary and Secondary PHTN. Interrogation
includes assessing for PI, running M-mode across the PV, measuring the RV
freewall thickness and pulsed-wave analysis of the hepatic vein.
 Measuring valvular stenosis using PW and CW modalities paying close attention
to pressure gradients
 Evaluating Qp/Qs
 Echo-guided pericardiocentisis and insertion of Impella device
These findings are written in a preliminary report. Details of that report require the
identification of segmental wall motion abnormalities, (using a contrast agent if
necessary) as well as measurements obtained via 2D, color and tissue Doppler and M-
mode.
Additionally from the report, the cardiologist can diagnose diastology with pulsed-wave
measurements obtained from E/A, IVRT, E/E’, pulmonary vein return and left atrial
volume index. Cardiologists also expect accurate reporting of stenotic valve areas in the
presence of a hyperdynamic or low EF and/or mod-sever regurg. Prosthetic valve areas
are reported and mostly determined by the gradient across valve.
Special attention is paid to a dilated aortic root, with calls to the cardiologist when
dissection flaps are present. Cardiac masses are identified and measured. Pericardial
effusion is noted, and interrogated using M-mode across the RV, as well as respiratory
variations on both the MV and TV. IVC size and collapse are reported as well. If there

2. are signs of tamponade, the physician is contacted immediately.
Under the direction of the physician, TEE exam protocols vary according to the clinical
indication and are often used to clear patients for cardioversion. (Cleaning the TEE probe
is a detailed process subject to review by Joint Commission.)
Also under the direction of a physician and assistance from an ECG tech, exercise and
pharmacological stress echos are performed using a full echo exam (unless otherwise
directed by the physician) and then compiling the four resting images. In some cases,
contrast is needed and is administered by a registered nurse.
There is a standard pediatric protocol that includes 2D and Doppler interrogation and
utilizes the subcostal, apical, parasternal, short axis and ductal and suprasternal views.
Pediatric echoes range from the detection of normal shunting, PFOs and PDAs, to the
more complex cases involving neonates born with respiratory dysfunction and suspected
CHD such as Tetralogy of Fallot and AV canal.
All studies are sent to Echo Pac (digital archive) logged and billed.
Equipment used is the GE Vivid 7 GE E9 Phillips Epic
Echocardiography Training
Pediatric Cardiac Ultrasound Training April-June 2008
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Pediatric/Newborn/Neonate Echosonographer Extern
Under the direction of Pierre Wong, M.D., Pediatric Cardiologist, and his staff of
pediatric sonographers, helped diagnose and/or follow up on cases including, but not
limited to, heart murmurs, cyanosis, dyspnea, interrupted aortic arch, Kawasaki
Syndrome, Tetralogy of Fallot, D-TGA, l-TGA, Hypoplastic Left Ventricle, Tricuspid
and Pulmonary Atresia. Additionally, echos were performed on patients status-post
palliative and corrective surgical procedures involving BT shunts, Glenns, Fontans,
Norwoods and cardiac transplantations. Studies were conducted in the echo department,
the Emergency Room and bedside in the respective intensive care units.
Echocardiography Studies Jan 07-Jun 08
West Coast Ultrasound Institute
This intense 18-month program included modules of anatomy and physiology of the
cardiac and vascular systems. Introduced to the basics of cardiac ultrasound including the
understanding of the heart in two-dimensions and M-Mode, comprehension of the
structure and function of the heart. Learned the different echosonographic views for
imaging the heart (parasternal long and short axis, apical, subcostal and suprasternal),
performed color Doppler, continuous, and pulsed wave analysis. Studied valvular heart

3. disease, prosthetic heart valves, cardiomyopathies, cardiac masses, and adults with
repaired congenital heart anomalies. Was taught arterial and venous ultrasound that
included an understanding of hemodynamics and waveforms. Studies practiced were
carotids and upper and lower extremity (arterial and venous).
Equipment used in training: Phillips 5500, 750 and IE33/ ATL / Acuson XP128
Past Employment History
2004 – 2007 Massage Therapist
Hands on Health Center. Provided various modalities of massage therapy including
Swedish, deep tissue, neuromuscular therapy, pregnancy massage, pelvic balancing and
TMJ treatment.
2003 – 2004 Marketing Instructor / Neuromuscular Therapy Teacher
Assistant
Blue Cliff College of Massage Therapy. Taught senior students grassroots-marketing
techniques such as business card creation, bonus and referral incentives, gift certificate
programs and marketing plan creation with measurable objectives.
Education/Certifications
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Communications University Of New Orleans
Louisiana
Certificate: Massage Therapy Blue Cliff College
Louisiana
Certificate: Cardiovascular Echosonography West Coast Ultrasound Institute
Beverly Hills, CA
BLS from American Heart Association expires 04/21/2017
RDCS Certification (130767)