ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Assessment of Cardiac Function and Baseline Cardiac Risk Stratification in Oncology Patients

Cardiac risk stratification is clinically useful prior to initiation of oncologic therapy in asymptomatic patients in order to guide treatment decisions and allow for initiation of cardioprotective therapy or modification of treatment regimens. Once oncology treatment is underway, patients may develop cardiac symptoms. In this setting, imaging can be used for assessment of ventricular and valvular function, myocardial characterization, pericardial effusion or constriction, as well as to evaluate for ischemia as a cause of symptoms. Results can help guide treatment choices and shared decision-making regarding modification or cessation of treatments with associated cardiotoxicity.

The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.