Continuous practice and advanced training in interventional cardiology. Recommendations for the assessment and maintenance of proficiency in interventional cardiology. A statement for physicians and advanced training units from the section of hemodynamics and interventional cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology

This report reflects the interest of the Section of Hemodynamics and Interv entional Cardiology of the Spanish Society of Cardiology in increasing qual ity, safety and applicability of percutaneous procedures, by giving scienti fic keys aimed at improving related functions of teaching or planning in th is field and enhancing competence and prestige of Spanish interventional ca rdiologists. The purpose of the document is to describe the importance of current interv entional cardiology, to identify quality references and to establish minimu m acceptable requirements for assessing and maintaining the competence of p racticing or providing advanced training in this discipline. To achieve thi s goal, a search for a gold standard of the different techniques of general interventional practice was carried out, and predictors of postprocedural outcome were analyzed, as well as their relation with different kinds of ci rcumstances. This analysis identified coronary angioplasty as the standard on which reco mmendations regarding competence in overall interventional cardiology stand ards of quality and assessment and maintenance of proficiency must be based . On the other hand, the strong influence of experience and knowledge of re sults has been documented, especially in high-risk or high-complexity setti ngs. On this basis, the report establishes specific recommendations about p roficiency for practice and advanced training. It also suggests that interv entional cardiology should be considered as a subspecialty, of cardiology r equiring specific credentials.