Branden Decker
Grand Rapids
Summary
Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) with specialized experience in structural heart imaging and advanced echocardiography supporting transcatheter mitral, tricuspid, left atrial appendage closure, and transcatheter mitral valve replacement procedures. Skilled in structural TEE imaging, advanced 3D echocardiographic acquisition, multiplanar reconstruction, TomTec analysis, and independent assessment of mitral valve, tricuspid valve, and left atrial appendage anatomy. Experienced throughout the structural heart continuum including patient screening, procedural planning, intra-procedural imaging support, post-procedural follow-up, sonographer training, and clinical research activities. Recognized for collaborative partnership with interventional cardiologists and multidisciplinary structural heart teams to support patient selection, procedural planning, and intra-procedural decision-making for complex transcatheter interventions.
Overview
1
1
Certification
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Echo Technologist
Corewell Health Meijer Heart Center
03.2023 - Current
- Perform comprehensive adult transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), stress echocardiography, and advanced structural heart imaging examinations.
- Support structural heart interventions including MitraClip, PASCAL, TriClip, EVOQUE, Watchman, and TMVR procedures through patient screening, pre-procedural evaluation, intraprocedural imaging support, and post-procedural follow-up.
- Acquire advanced 3D TEE datasets and perform multiplanar reconstruction to support procedural planning and real-time guidance during complex structural interventions.
- Independently perform anatomic measurements and imaging assessments of mitral valve, tricuspid valve, and left atrial appendage anatomy for patient evaluation and procedural planning.
- Utilize TomTec software for advanced echocardiographic analysis and structural heart imaging assessment.
- Collaborate directly with interventional cardiologists and multidisciplinary structural heart teams to support successful transcatheter therapies.
- Support echocardiographic imaging for industry sponsored and investigator initiated cardiovascular research studies, ensuring protocol-compliant image acquisition and date quality
- Train and mentor newly hired sonographers in imaging acquisition, workflow processes, and departmental quality standards.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Cardiac Sonography
Baker College
Owosso, MI2023
Skills
Structural Heart Imaging
- Transcatheter Edge to Edge Repair (TEER) including Mitraclip, Pascal, and Triclip
- Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR)
- Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement (TTVR)
- Left Atrial Appendage Closure including Watchman, Amplatzer, and Conform
Advanced Imaging
- Structural TEE
- 3D Echocardiography
- Multiplanar Reconstruction (MPR)
- Cadiac valve assessment
- TomTec
Professional Skills
- Sonographer Training
- Clinical Research Support
- Structural Heart Program Support
- Epic Systems
Certification
- Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS)
Timeline
Echo Technologist
Corewell Health Meijer Heart Center
03.2023 - Current
Associate of Applied Science - Cardiac Sonography
Baker College