2014 Appropriate Use Criteria for Initial Transthoracic Echocardiography in Outpatient Pediatric Cardiology

September 29, 2014—This document is a report of the American College of Cardiology Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Society of Pediatric Echocardiography. The purpose is to establish and evaluate Appropriate Use Criteria for the initial use of outpatient pediatric echocardiography.

This Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) report provides a helpful guide to clinicians in determining the reasonable role of initial transthoracic echocardiography in the evaluation of pediatric patients in an outpatient setting. It also lays the foundation for developing AUC in other areas of pediatric cardiology. Furthermore, it can form the basis of designing educational and quality improvement projects to improve quality of care.