title: ACCF/ASE/ACEP/AHA/ASNC/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR 2008 appropriateness criteria for stress echocardiography: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriateness Criteria Task Force, American Society of Echocardiography, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Heart Association, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, and Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society and the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
abstract: The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) together with key specialty and subspecialty societies, conducted an appropriateness review for stress echocardiography. The review assessed the risks and benefits of stress echocardiography for several indications or clinical scenarios and scored them on a scale of 1 to 9 (based upon methodology developed by the ACCF to assess imaging appropriateness). The upper range (7 to 9) implies that the test is generally acceptable and is a reasonable approach, and the lower range (1 to 3) implies that the test is generally not acceptable and is not a reasonable approach. The midrange (4 to 6) indicates a clinical scenario for which the indication for a stress echocardiogram is uncertain. The indications for this review were drawn from common applications or anticipated uses, as well as from current clinical practice guidelines. Use of stress echocardiography for risk assessment in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) was viewed favorably, while routine repeat testing and general screening in certain clinical scenarios were viewed less favorably. It is anticipated that these results will have a significant impact on physician decision making and performance, reimbursement policy, and will help guide future research.
authors.forename: Pamela S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Bijoy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khandheria
authors.forename: Raymond F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Stainback
authors.forename: Neil J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Weissman
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hendel
authors.forename: Raymond F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Stainback
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blaivas
authors.forename: Roger D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Des Prez
authors.forename: Linda D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Gillam
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Golash
authors.forename: Loren F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Hiratzka
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Kussmaul
authors.forename: Arthur J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Labovitz
authors.forename: JoAnn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindenfeld
authors.forename: Frederick A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Masoudi
authors.forename: Paul H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Porembka
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Spertus
authors.forename: L Samuel
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Wann
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wiegers
authors.forename: Ralph G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Brindis
authors.forename: Pamela S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hendel
authors.forename: Manesh R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wolk
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003657:Decision Making; D025401:Echocardiography, Stress / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D018579:Patient Selection; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States