American College of Cardiology

This document has been developed as a Clinical Expert Consensus Document (CECD), combining the resources of the American College of Cardiology and the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. It is intended to provide a perspective on the current state of cardiac catheterization and the laboratories in which these procedures are performed. CECDs are intended to inform practitioners, payers, and other interested parties of the opinion of the American College of Cardiology concerning evolving areas of clinical practice and/or technologies that are widely available or new to the practice community. Topics chosen for coverage by expert consensus documents are so designed because the evidence base, experience with technology and/or clinical practice are not considered sufficiently well developed to be evaluated by the formal ACC/AHA Practice Guidelines process. Often the topic is the subject of considerable ongoing investigation. Thus, the reader should view the CECD as the best attempt of the ACC to inform and guide clinical practice in areas where rigorous evidence may not yet be available or the evidence to date is not widely accepted. Where feasible, CECDs include indications or contraindications. Some topics covered by CECDs will be addressed subsequently by the ACC/AHA Practice Guidelines Committee.