Cardiovascular Imaging in South Africa

Approximately 17 million people die every year from cardiovascular disease or stroke. South Africa has a very high incidence of ischemic heart disease. We have access to superb diagnostic tools that enable us to play a pivotal role in the non-invasive diagnosis of heart disease. I believe the time is ripe for renewed discussions between the role players (the RSSA, cardiologists, radiologists and the reimbursing companies) in order to elevate coronary CTA and CMR to the level where they belong: undoubtedly enormously valuable diagnostic tools which are currently shamelessly underutilized, to the detriment of many patients who have an enhanced chance of dying of a cardiovascular condition as a result of being investigated by inferior and/or invasive tests.