Cardiac catheterization laboratory imaging quality assurance program

With the recent approval of the National Electrical Manufacturers Associati on (NEMA) standard for "Characteristics of and Test Procedures for a Phanto m to Benchmark Cardiac Fluoroscopic and Photographic Performance," comprehe nsive cardiac image assurance control programs are now possible. This stand ard was developed by a joint NEMA/Society for Cardiac Angiography and inter ventions (SCA&I) working group of imaging manufacturers and cardiology soci ety professionals over the past 4 years. This article details a cardiac cat heterization laboratory image quality assurance and control program that in cludes the new standard along with current regulatory requirements for card iac imaging. Because of the recent proliferation of digital imaging equipme nt, quality assurance for cardiac imaging fluoroscopy and digital imaging a re critical. Included are the previous works recommended by the American Co llege of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA), Society for Cardiac Angiographers and Interventions (SCA&I), and authors of previous i mage quality subjects. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;52:59-66. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.