Guidelines for clinical use of cardiac radionuclide imaging report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Assessment of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Cardiovascular Procedures (Committee on Radionuclide Imaging), devel

It is becoming more apparent each day that despite strong national commitment to excellence in health care, the resources and personnel are finite. It is therefore appropriate that the medical profession examine the impact of developing technology and new therapeutic modalities on the practice of cardiology. Such analysis, carefully conducted, could potentially affect the cost of medical care without diminishing the effectiveness of that care. To this end, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association in 1980 established Task Force on Assessment of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Cardiovascular Procedures with the following charge: The Task Force of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association shall develop guidelines relative to the role of new therapeutic approaches and of specific noninvasive and invasive procedures in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. The Task Force shall address, when appropriate, the contribution, uniqueness, sensitivity, specificity, indications, contra-indications and cost-effectiveness of such diagnostic procedures and therapeutic modalities. The Task Force shall emphasize the role and values of the developed guidelines as an educational resource. The Task Force shall include Chairman and six members, three representatives from the American Heart Association and three representatives from the American College of Cardiology. The Task Force may select ad hoc members as needed upon the approval of the Presidents of both organizations. Recommendations of the Task Force are forwarded to the President of each organization.