Cardiac radiology in Europe: status and vision by the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) and the European Society of Radiology (ESR) - Scorecard - MDSpire
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Cardiac radiology in Europe: status and vision by the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) and the European Society of Radiology (ESR)
Clinical Scorecard: The Current Landscape and Future Perspectives of Cardiac Radiology in Europe: Insights from the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology and the European Society of Radiology
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Cardiac diseases requiring imaging for diagnosis and prognosis
Key Mechanisms
Use of cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed cardiac anatomy and function assessment
Target Population
Patients with suspected or known cardiac pathology requiring imaging evaluation
Care Setting
Radiology departments across Europe with cardiac imaging capabilities
Key Highlights
Cardiac CT and MRI examinations involve a multi-stage process from indication to reporting and long-term data storage.
Radiologists play a central role in ensuring quality control, modality selection, image acquisition, interpretation, and communication with referring clinicians.
Training curricula emphasize progressive competency levels in cardiac imaging, culminating in subspecialty certification through the European Board of Cardiovascular Radiology.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Establish correct indication for cardiac CT or MRI based on patient characteristics and clinical question.
Perform comprehensive image acquisition and reconstruction tailored to optimize image quality and minimize radiation dose.
Systematically review cardiac and extra-cardiac findings to inform diagnosis and management.
Management
Radiologists should coordinate with referring clinicians and technologists to select appropriate imaging modality and protocol.
Use cardiac CT as a roadmap for minimally invasive interventions when indicated.
Apply pharmacological stress techniques such as adenosine infusion during stress cardiac MRI when appropriate.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Maintain long-term storage of imaging data and structured reports for ongoing patient care.
Ensure continuous quality control throughout the imaging process to optimize diagnostic yield.
Implement competency-based training assessments and maintain logbooks during radiology training.
Risks
Consider radiation exposure and apply dose reduction strategies in cardiac CT.
Be aware of potential motion artifacts and adjust acquisition parameters accordingly.
Avoid self-referral and ensure appropriate use of imaging resources.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Patients undergoing cardiac imaging for diagnosis, prognosis, or pre-interventional planning
Optimal imaging modality selection depends on patient-specific factors, clinical indication, and resource availability to maximize diagnostic accuracy and minimize risks.
Clinical Best Practices
Integrate cardiac imaging training progressively in radiology residency with defined competency levels.
Foster multidisciplinary collaboration between radiologists, technologists, and referring clinicians.
Adopt structured reporting and standardized protocols to ensure consistency and quality in cardiac imaging.
by Luigi Natale, Rozemarijn Vliegenthart, Rodrigo Salgado, Jens Bremerich, Riccardo P. J. Budde, Jean-Nicholas Dacher, Marco Francone, Karl-Friedrich Kreitner, Christian Loewe, Konstantin Nikolaou, Charles Peebles, Birgitta K. Velthuis, Carlo Catalano
