Chest Pain Guidelines

The first comprehensive guideline for the evaluation of chest pain was published in October 2021 by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and received the endorsement of most of the other U.S. subspecialty cardiology societies. The new guideline recommends medical professionals use standardized risk assessments, clinical pathways and tools to evaluate and communicate with people experiencing chest pain. While the guideline covers the role of all types of tests and imaging, the new guidelines elevated the frontline use of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and FFR-CT in specific patients. This inclusion has caused a large amount of interest in expanding cardiac CT programs.

Rasha Al-Lamee, MBBS, PhD, a cardiologist with the National Heart and Lung Institute in London

PCI benefits patients with stable chest pain, late-breaking data confirm

“Going forward, patients and medical teams have a choice of two pathways for chest pain relief: chest pain medication or PCI," one cardiologist said. 

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

One-stop cardiology clinic opens, offering same-day CVD diagnoses

The new healthcare facility is the first of its kind, offering same-day cardiac imaging scans, cardiologist consultations and diagnoses. 

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Cardiologists to celebrate World Heart Day with CCTA webinar

The free webinar, scheduled for Sept. 29, will examine the benefits of using CCTA and FFR-CT to manage chest pain patients. 

Video interview with Martha Gulati, MD, was the lead author of the 2021 chest pain guidelines and shares impacts.

Cardiac CT gaining popularity due to chest pain guidelines, cost savings

Cardiologist Martha Gulati, MD, lead author of the 2021 chest pain guidelines, explained how the document may have contributed to the rise of cardiac CT. "These guidelines have made it harder for people to push back and say you don't need this test," she said. 

Deferred testing for low-risk chest pain patients is safe, limits unnecessary catheterizations

Once physicians confirm a patient's CAD risk is low, they can feel comfortable putting diagnostic testing on hold. 

cardiologist doctor physician patient black diverse hypertension

Chest pain one year after a heart attack linked to lower odds of survival

A new study in the Journal of the American Heart Association focused on data from more than 18,000 patients.

Cardiologist Martha Gulati, MD, who specializes in both preventive cardiology and cardiovascular disease in women, has been named the Anita Dann Friedman Endowed Chair in Women’s Cardiovascular Medicine and Research at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

SCCT honors cardiologist Martha Gulati for her research on heart disease among women

Gulati, known for her work in the field of preventive cardiology, is also being recognized for her role in the development of the 2021 chest pain guidelines. 

HeartFlow raises $215M to keep up with growing demand

The company is still riding the momentum of its technology being included in the 2021 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association chest pain guidelines.

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.