Medical imaging procedures require exceptional judgment on physician’s part

American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2009

The focus of medical imaging research during the last two decades has been focused on the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of non-invasive imaging and not on the affect it has on therapies and patient outcomes, according to Bernard J. Gersh, MD.

“There has been a four-fold increase in the use of imaging procedures in the United States during the last 10 years, yet imaging procedures are not essential for each patient and are specific to each situation,” Gersh, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester said during a presentation today.

According to Gersh, also a member of the Cardiology Today Editorial Board, the physician must exercise good judgment prior to performing an imaging procedure and will need to identify the degree of positivity, overall exercise performance of each patient, BP and heart rate as well as the extent and severity of ischemia.

For the management of CAD in patients undergoing vascular surgery, Gersh suggested approaching this with two questions: what is the indication of vascular symptoms, and what is the role of CABG and PCI?

“Take the vascular surgery out of the equation and then figure out if the patient is a candidate for PCI — many of these patients may benefit from functional imaging and stress test,” he said. “Stress testing and imaging are fundamental to the indication of angiography in patients with CABG and underutilization of this is of great concern. Stress testing prior to elective PCI was 22.1% to 70.6%.” – by Jennifer Southall

For more information:

Gersh B.SMP.102. Presented at: the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2009; Nov. 14-18; Orlando, Fla.