Abstract
Approximately 17 million people die every year from cardiovascular disease or stroke. South Africa has a very high incidence of ischemic heart disease. We have access to superb diagnostic tools that enable us to play a pivotal role in the non-invasive diagnosis of heart disease. I believe the time is ripe for renewed discussions between the role players (the RSSA, cardiologists, radiologists and the reimbursing companies) in order to elevate coronary CTA and CMR to the level where they belong: undoubtedly enormously valuable diagnostic tools which are currently shamelessly underutilized, to the detriment of many patients who have an enhanced chance of dying of a cardiovascular condition as a result of being investigated by inferior and/or invasive tests.
Highlights
The role of the radiologist in cardiovascular imaging has followed a tortuous and often uphill road worldwide, with certainly no exception in South Africa
Since the discovery of X-rays by Röntgen in 1895, the turf war between clinicians and radiologists regarding their ownership has always been fiercest around the imaging of the heart and great vessels
The birth of multislice CT, especially 32- and 64-slice scanners, sparked renewed enthusiasm among radiologists to delve into the coronary vessels
Summary
The role of the radiologist in cardiovascular imaging has followed a tortuous and often uphill road worldwide, with certainly no exception in South Africa. The birth of multislice CT, especially 32- and 64-slice scanners, sparked renewed enthusiasm among radiologists to delve into the coronary vessels (which had become the sole domain of the cardiologist) This occurrence did not go unnoticed among the cardiology community, resulting in them purchasing their own CT equipment – leading to a renewed turf battle between the two groups. In addition to a notable professional and academic career (and provincial colours for squash and swimming), Leonie Scholtz established her own radiology practice in 1993, which has subsequently expanded to 8 partners and 15 practices in Pretoria and the Lowveld She has authored and co-authored numerous articles published in peer-reviewed and accredited journals, and has been an invited speaker at national and international conferences and workshops. It is not easy to prove to medical aid companies that a single, accurate and highly diagnostic – albeit expensive – modality would in many instances eliminate further additional and invasive tests
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