Appropriate Use of Cardiovascular Imaging: Methodology Developed

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) have published a method to define appropriate use of cardiovascular imaging. The goal is to create a series of documents to define the utility of cardiovascular imaging procedures in relation to specific clinical questions, with the aim of defining what, if any, imaging test(s) are indicated to help to determine diagnosis, treatment or outcome. 

The methodology applies systematic evidence reviews integrated with expert opinion by means of a rigorous Delphi process. The outcome will be practical evidence-based guidance to ordering providers, imaging laboratories, interpreting physicians, patients and policy-makers as to optimal cardiovascular imaging use. 

This article describes the history, rationale, and methodology for developing these joint documents for appropriate utilisation of cardiovascular imaging.

2013 Appropriate Utilization of Cardiovascular Imaging: A Methodology for the Development of Joint Criteria for the Appropriate Utilization of Cardiovascular Imaging by the American College of Cardiology Foundation and American College of Radiology. J. Jeffrey Carr, Robert C. Hendel, Richard D. White, Manesh R. Patel, Michael J. Wolk, Michael A. Bettmann, Pamela Douglas, Frank J. Rybicki, Christopher Kramer,  Pamela K. Woodard, Leslee J. Shaw,  E. Kent Yucel. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013 Mar 5. pii: S0735-1097(13)00865-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2013.02.010