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FOCUS ISSUE: CARDIAC IMAGING: VIEWPOINT

Improving Imaging

Our Professional Imperative

Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

Manuscript received March 28, 2006; accepted April 12, 2006.

^_* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Pamela S. Douglas, Duke University Medical Center 3943, Duke North 7451, Durham, North Carolina 27710. (Email: pamela.douglas{at}duke.edu).

Many factors, including disproportionate growth rates and exciting new technologies, have focused attention on cardiovascular imaging. However, critical examination of the field reveals a surprisingly weak evidence base and inconsistent systematic attention to quality improvement. Remedies span research and practice. The optimal clinical continuum of care begins with ensuring a proper match between the diagnostic test and the individual’s clinical question, and progresses to include image acquisition, image interpretation, and results reporting. Better research methodologies are needed to more tightly link imaging use to improved outcomes in non-biased community populations. To accomplish these lofty goals, alignment across stakeholders is needed to ensure the necessary human and capital investment in research and systems of care.

Abbreviations and Acronyms   ACC/AHA = American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association   CV = cardiovascular

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