Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Conference: Writing Group IV: imaging.

Abstract

The goals of the imaging writing group were to define the role of imaging and to recommend important programmatic research and advocacy initiatives in atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease for the American Heart Association. It should be noted that this is not a practice guideline initiative; therefore, the writing group purposely avoided recommending imaging modalities for specific circulatory beds. This report discusses the following imaging modalities: duplex ultrasound, MRI and MR angiography (MRA), CT imaging and angiography (CTA), and digital intra-arterial angiography. The requirements for proficiency in all of these modalities include physician oversight, quality assurance programs, and standardization for acquisition of images, interpretation of the study, postprocessing procedures, workstations, and reporting. The roles of imaging for each modality such as screening for subclinical disease, diagnosis, and treatment planning as an adjunct to invasive therapies (interventional MR and CT) and follow-up and monitoring are reviewed.