Clinical Practice Guidelines and Appropriate Use Criteria

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) provides important diagnostic and risk stratification data for patient management if applied to the correct patients. Advances in imaging technology, in addition to expanded clinical applications along with possible financial incentives to the imager, have led to explosive growth of imaging, raising concerns about over-utilization. Inappropriate use of MPI may be harmful to patients and generate unwarranted cost to the healthcare system, whereas appropriate procedures will likely improve patients’ clinical outcomes. As a response to a rational use of imaging services, different guidance documents have been developed. These publications strive to help to eliminate unnecessary testing and promote increased awareness of health care costs.