Interventional Cardiology going downhill?

[HMSBeagle]

Hi everyone. I was wondering what is the current state of interventional cardiology. What got me thinking about this is the advent of CT and MR angiography. Some say this may be the beginning of the end for diagnostic coronary angiographies. Also, the reports of stents and how supposedly they may not be very effective, got me thinking about what the state of IC may be and what the future brings for this specialty.
Thanks everyone and good luck to all those currently in the match process.

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[HMSBeagle]

Bump

 

[runningdoc2008]

All fields of cardiology (or all of medicine, for that matter) are in a constant state of flux, so it's hard to predict.

For example, here are the two most common arguments regarding the future of interventional vs cardiac imaging.

1. Cardiac imaging will supplant diagnostic caths as imaging technology improves.

2. The increased utilization of imaging procedures will lead to a greater number of referrals to the cath lab, and thus, a greater number of procedures

No one knows what will happen in the future, but my guess is that interventional is far from going downhill. There are too many new exciting technologies (novel stent technologies, percutaneous bypass, percutaneous deployment of angiogensis-promoting devices, Percutanous valve repair, etc).

There is a great deal of hype when any new technology is introduced. After the technology has been used, much of the hype dissipates and disappointment pervades the general mood. As the technology matures; however, its role becomes more defined.

So, while cardiac CT, MRI, 3d US are definitely the next big thing in cardiology, it will most likely be complementary to the other fields of cardiology.

 

[tibor75]

Cardiac CT/MRI will have little if any impact in interventional cards.

They have zero therapeutic value - only diagnostic.

 

[kingofhearts]

All of the following were taken from www.theheart.org . Please go there for additional info:



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