The role of cardiac imaging in clinical practice

Abstract

The selection of cardiac imaging modality depends on the indication, individual patient characteristics and local accessibility. In many cases echocardiography, including stress echocardiography, can provide the required clinical information and avoids radiation exposure. CT coronary angiography is increasingly used to detect coronary artery disease in patients with an intermediate risk and in those with equivocal stress test results. Cardiac MRI studies are ordered by a patient’s cardiologist as an adjunct to other imaging modalities when further clarification is warranted.