(Bethesda, MD) The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) along with key specialty and subspecialty societies have released Appropriateness Criteria for two relatively new clinical cardiac imaging modalities, cardiac computed tomography (CCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). These Criteria were developed in order to address the growth in biomedical imaging to ensure that it is appropriate to patient needs.
"In response to the need for guidance in ordering and performing advance cardiac imaging procedures, such as CT and CMR, the ACCF has focused a great deal of resources in helping to determine if it is 'reasonable' or appropriate to perform a test for a specific indication. We aim to assist patients, clinicians, and payers when determining how best to use cardiac tests and procedures. It is now widely apparent that these imaging studies should be used only when the information provided will have a direct impact on patient care, as medical imaging has undergone tremendous growth in recent years," said Robert Hendel, M.D., F.A.C.C., chair of the writing group for the Appropriateness Criteria for CCT and CMR.
"It is also our hope that the criteria will generate discussion between physicians and payers regarding reimbursement," added Dr. Hendel.
The CCT and CMR Appropriateness Criteria were developed in collaboration with American College of Radiology, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, North American Society for Cardiac Imaging, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and Society of Interventional Radiology.
An appropriate imaging study is defined as one in which the expected incremental information combined with clinical judgment, exceeds the expected negative consequences by a sufficiently wide margin for a specific indication that the procedure is generally considered acceptable car
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Contact: Amy Murphy
amurphy@acc.org
301-581-3476
American College of Cardiology
7-Aug-2006