The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA)—a trade association representing manufacturers of medical imaging equipment, radiopharmaceuticals, contrast media, and focused ultrasound therapeutic devices—has commended the recent classification of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) as a Class 1 recommendation for patients with acute chest pain.  

The Class 1 classification, determined by the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and other groups in the evaluation of patients with acute chest pain, is the strongest possible recommendation for a diagnostic test and will extend patient access to these technologies when experiencing symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

“The updated CCTA classification underscores the value of imaging in diagnosing individuals with cardiovascular disease and provides physicians with yet another valuable diagnostic tool to appropriately identify disease and determine a patient’s best course of care,” says MITA Executive Director Patrick Hope. “This update reflects a patient-centric approach to diagnosing cardiovascular disease by offering patients greater access to proven and effective diagnostic technologies.”

Based on the updated guideline, CCTA should be used for the exclusion of atherosclerotic plaque and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in intermediate-risk patients with acute chest pain and no known CAD. CCTA should also be used for diagnosis of CAD and in the determination of treatment plans for patients with stable chest pain who have an intermediate-high risk of obstructive CAD. 

The guideline also provides a Class 1 recommendation for stress testing for both groups of patients, including either exercise ECG, stress echocardiography, stress PET/SPECT, myocardial perfusion imaging or stress cardiac MR.

Click here to view the updated CCTA guideline.