Critical appraisal of appropriateness in nuclear cardiology

Radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a large component of the healthcare spending both in developed and developing countries. MPI is also responsible for a significant increase in the exposition of patients and health care operators to ionizing radiations for medical purposes. Thus, health-care systems and pertinent scientific societies were involved in developing criteria to contain the non-appropriate use by implementing Appropriate Use Criteria and Clinical Indications Guidelines. The present manuscript will review the concept and limitations of such an approach.