ASNC Publishes Updated Statement on Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Women
Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) June 14, 2017 -- Fatality rates for cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been significantly higher for women than for men over the last three decades. The clinical evaluation of women presenting with symptoms of SIHD is challenging due to their varying clinical presentation, clinical risk factor burden, high degree of comorbidity, and increased risk of major ischemic heart disease events. “The incorporation of sex-specific and evidence-based guidance for diagnostic testing to determine risk status and management of symptomatic women with suspected ischemia is an important first step to implementing a 'precision medicine' approach to patient care,” said author Viviany R. Taqueti, MD, MPH.
Taqueti, et al. assert in the statement that “for women, the evidence base for SPECT and PET MPI is robust and supports accurate detection of obstructive cardiovascular artery disease (CAD), effective risk stratification, and hopefully more appropriate utilization of invasive procedures.”
To this end, the statement provides a list of the top priorities for cardiovascular imaging in women:
• Use CV imaging as a gatekeeper to quality testing and treatment of at-risk women
• Select appropriate women for testing
• Implement radiation dose reduction strategies in women
• Leverage technology to probe relevant female biology
• Invest in CV imaging in women research and clinical trials
“This document should help to improve patterns of care and clinical outcomes for the large sector of women requiring stress imaging procedures,” said Leslee Shaw, PhD.
ASNC is the recognized leader in quality, education, advocacy and standards in cardiovascular imaging, with more than 4,000 members worldwide. ASNC is the only society dedicated solely to advocacy issues that impact the field of nuclear cardiology and is working with success to influence regulations to fight onerous private health plan policies – adverting reimbursement declines and fighting for improved payment and coverage. ASNC is dedicated to continuous quality improvement, education and patient-centered imaging, illustrating the ongoing commitment as a leader in the field of nuclear imaging and improving patient outcomes. ASNC establishes standards for excellence in cardiovascular imaging through the development of clinical guidelines, professional education, advocacy and research development. ASNC’s members are comprised of cardiologists, radiologists, physicians, scientists, technologists, imaging specialists and other professionals committed to the science and practice of nuclear cardiology. For more information, visit http://www.asnc.org.
Kristin Bukovsky, ASNC, http://www.asnc.org, +1 (301) 215-7575 Ext: 203, [email protected]
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