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Published on: March 26, 2018
ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Nontraumatic Aortic Disease
, Andrew J Gunn1, Sanjeeva P Kalva2
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, Director, Interventional Oncology, Director, Ambulatory Clinic, Assistant Program Director, Diagnostic Radiology Residency, Assistant Program Director, Interventional Radiology Residency, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Member, American College of Radiology-Radiologic Society of North America Patient Information Committee.
Insights
Selecting the right imaging test for nontraumatic aortic disease is crucial. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria offer evidence-based guidance for optimal diagnostic imaging selection.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Medical Imaging
- Cardiovascular Diseases
Background:
- Nontraumatic aortic diseases encompass diverse etiologies, including congenital, inflammatory, infectious, metabolic, neoplastic, and degenerative conditions.
- Accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapeutic response assessment rely heavily on various imaging modalities like radiography, ultrasound, echocardiography, CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine.
Framework:
- The American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria provide evidence-based guidelines for selecting diagnostic imaging examinations.
- These guidelines are developed and annually reviewed by multidisciplinary expert panels, incorporating extensive medical literature analysis.
- Methodologies such as RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) are used to rate procedure appropriateness.
Implementation:
- The ACR criteria aim to guide physicians in choosing the most suitable diagnostic imaging examination for nontraumatic aortic diseases.
- Selection of imaging modalities should be based on the best available evidence, considering the strengths and weaknesses of each in specific clinical scenarios.
- Expert opinion may supplement evidence when data is lacking or equivocal to recommend appropriate imaging or treatment.
Implications:
- Facilitates informed decision-making for physicians in diagnosing and managing nontraumatic aortic diseases.
- Promotes the use of evidence-based practices in medical imaging for aortic conditions.
- Aims to optimize patient care by ensuring the selection of the most appropriate diagnostic imaging examinations.
Abstract:
Nontraumatic aortic disease can be caused by a wide variety of disorders including congenital, inflammatory, infectious, metabolic, neoplastic, and degenerative processes. Imaging examinations such as radiography, ultrasound, echocardiography, catheter-based angiography, CT, MRI, and nuclear medicine examinations are essential for diagnosis, treatment planning, and assessment of therapeutic response. Depending upon the clinical scenario, each of these modalities has strengths and weaknesses. Whenever possible, the selection of a diagnostic imaging examination should be based upon the best available evidence. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment. The purpose of this document is to assist physicians select the most appropriate diagnostic imaging examination for nontraumatic aortic diseases.
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