Results of preventive cardiac imaging inconclusive

From the Archives of Internal Medicine, March 14th

Despite extensive use in practice, the impact of noninvasive cardiovascular imaging in primary prevention remains unclear. Trials screened patients for inducible myocardial ischemia (2 trials), coronary calcification (3 trials), carotid atherosclerosis (1 trial), or left ventricular hypertrophy (1 trial). Imaging had no effect on medication prescribing overall or on provision of lipid-modifying agents, antihypertensive drugs, or antiplatelet agents. Similarly, no effect was seen on dietary improvement, physical activity, or smoking cessation. Imaging was not associated with invasive angiography. In conclusion, the researchers found limited evidence suggesting that noninvasive cardiovascular imaging alters primary prevention efforts.