Requirements for cardiac interchange media and the role of recordable CD

Over the past two years, representatives of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) have collaborated with the x-ray equipment industry through the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) to develop a digital standard for the exchange of x-ray angiographic images. These efforts have resulted in an extension of the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Standard and the selection of recordable CD as the medium for interchange. This report, which is based on an INCIS '94 presentation in Mainz, Germany, is focused on the results of the medium selection. Included is a discussion of the distinction between archiving and interchange of digital image data, an outline of the medium selection criteria, a mapping of recordable CD against these criteria, and a discussion of the future of this medium. Finally, this report contains information about the ongoing ACC-NEMA activities.