Risks and benefits of cardiac imaging: an analysis of risks related to imaging for coronary artery disease

Abstract

The potential risks associated with cardiovascular imaging (CVI) have recently been debated, partly triggered by the rapid increase in the use of imaging procedures and new imaging modalities such as cardiac computed tomography (CT).^1,2 The discussion has mainly focused only on a single-risk aspect such as radiation.³ However, the various procedures have several risks: stressors, contrast agents, invasiveness, radiation, etc. Even more important, the test must be related to the benefit of performing or not performing the test with the risk and drawbacks associated with the disease remaining undetected.