New “Multimodality Imaging Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for the Detection and Risk Assessment of Stable Ischemic Heart Disease (SIHD)” for the first time integrates the ratings of a variety of imaging tests ranging from exercise ECG to the diagnostic coronary angiogram. The AUC, released by the ACC and nine other key cardiovascular specialty societies, address 80 different clinical scenarios for the diagnosis and management of SIHD patients using various imaging modalities and rates these scenarios as appropriate, may be appropriate and rarely appropriate. According to the authors, a major innovation in this document is the rating of tests side by side for the same indication. “The side-by-side rating removes any concerns about differences in indication or interpretation stemming from prior use of separate documents for each test,” they note.

Keywords: Myocardial Ischemia, Coronary Angiography, Electrocardiography, Risk Assessment, Cardiology Magazine, ACC Publications

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