The North American Society for Cardiac Imaging (NASCI) is an
international organization dedicated to the advancement of cardiovascular imaging.

Committee for Cardiovascular Imaging

Reprinted with permission of the American College of Radiology. Copyright 1999 by the American College of Radiology. No other representation of this article is authorized without express, written permission from the ACR.

In February 1999, the American Board of Radiology, the American College of Radiology, the American Roentgen Ray Society and the Radiological Society of North America began discussions about ways to improve and promote the practice of cardiovascular imaging by radiologists. This effort was initiated because of concerns about the uneven quality of cardiovascular imaging, the recognition that recent advances in technology are likely to revolutionize the imaging of vascular disease, and the realization that training in cardiovascular imaging (graduate and postgraduate) is inconsistent. These discussions lead to the creation of the Committee for Cardiovascular Imaging composed of representatives from the four organizations.

The members of the Committee are:

• William J. Casarella, M.D. American Board of Radiology Atlanta, Georgia
• Bruce L. McClennan, M.D. American Roentgen Ray Society New Haven, Connecticut
• W. Max Cloud, M.D. American College of Radiology Springfield, Massachusetts
• Theresa C. McLoud, M.D. American Roentgen Ray Society Boston, Massachusetts
Robert R. Hattery, M.D. American Board of Radiology Rochester, Minnesota
• Michael J. Pentecost, M.D. American College of Radiology Washington, D.C.
• C. Douglas Maynard, M.D. Radiological Society of North America Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Jerry P. Petasnick, M.D. Radiological Society of North America Chicago, Illinois

Over the course of several months, the Committee developed a mission statement: To improve patient care by advancing clinical practice, research and education in the imaging of cardiovascular disease with particular attention to evolving modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

On July 8, 1999 the Committee convened a group of interested physicians and scientists at the ACR headquarters in Reston, Virginia for a roundtable discussion about this issue. Participants included a cross-section of practitioners with interests in magnetic resonance imaging, interventional radiology, neuroradiology, computed tomography, cardiac radiology, ultrasound and other areas.

Strategies and suggestions for promoting and improving cardiovascular imaging (CVI) included:

• Development of a curriculum for residency training in CVI
• Medical education programs sponsored jointly by the ACR, ARRS, RSNA
• Increased funding for postgraduate clinical and research fellowships in CVI
• Expansion of sponsored CVI research
• Development of credentialing and guidelines documents
• Promotion of access to quality CVI imaging through accreditation
• Development of professional and public awareness programs
• ABR study of issues related to CVI examination
• Dialogue with manufacturers on issues related to CVI education, clinical practice and research

The Committee intends to immediately begin consideration of these suggestions. Another important step will be soliciting input from other organizations and members of the radiology community. The Committee for Cardiovascular Imaging marks the first time that the four over-arching radiology organizations have joined so cohesively in a clinical, educational and research initiative. The Committee hopes to enlist the support of all radiologists through their various organizational and professional means.

From: Michael J. Pentecost, M.D. Washington, D.C. July 13, 1999

© 2005 NASCI.  All rights reserved.