Jan 15, 2026
3 min read
SERAM and SEICAT want cardiac imaging to become a strategic axis of the Safe Hearts plan, key in prevention, early diagnosis and equity of care.
The Spanish Society of Medical Radiology (SERAM) and the Spanish Society of Cardiac Imaging (SEICAT) argued that the "strategic role" of medical imaging should be recognized as a "cutting tool" in cardiovascular diseases, showing its advantages in early diagnosis, guidance, monitoring and personal patient protection.
The two scientific associations established this position after the European Commission introduced the "Safe Hearts" initiative. This strategy, which SERAM and SEICAT assessed as "very positive", aims to shift cardiovascular services towards prevention.Early diagnosisand equal access to medical care
The European document recalls that heart disease is the main cause of death and disability in the European Union, affecting about 62 million people and causing 1.7 million deaths every year. At the same time, it highlights that health promotion and prevention can help reduce and control these diseases and their risks in a cost-effective way.
In this scenario, the plan advocates for more active and precise medicine, supported by technological innovation, digitalization and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).SERAM and SEICAT believe that imaging experts will play a key and leadership role in this new model.
The drug picture is a great thing to slow down the diagnosis, guide the treatment, design the intervention, and design the intervention process and achievement procedures.
Advantages of cardiac imaging techniques
These two companies demonstrate that the technique of cardiac diagnosis allows the diagnosis of the disease at the subclinical level, the correct stratification of the risk for the heart and the monitoring of individual interventions.The researchers highlighted the possibility of giving imaging the use of examinations that have been done for other purposes and strengthening the prevention of heart disease;For example, research exploits heart disease in low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans for use in lung cancer coverage.
In the same way, they highlight the contribution of computed tomography angiography (coronary CT angiography) in the field of ischemic heart disease, which has significantly expanded its indications and established itself as the first choice for diagnostic test.SERAM and SEICAT emphasize their high diagnostic performance and usefulness in eliminating significant coronary disease, which accelerates the diagnostic process, better selects patients and reduces unnecessary invasive procedures.
Along with that, they emphasize the differential value of cardiac magnetic resonance for the characterization of myocardial tissue and the detection of early dysfunction, even before the appearance of obvious clinical signs.This information is crucial for therapeutic management and has a direct impact on the prognosis of many pathologies, from cardiomyopathies to inflammatory or infiltrative processes.
In addition to advanced techniques such as cardiac magnetic resonance or cardiac computed tomography, societies are reminded that there are other imaging methods that offer relevant data for early detection of cardiovascular risk.Among these, carotid and femoral artery ultrasound allows visualization of subclinical atherosclerotic plaques, which are direct markers of atherosclerosis and strong predictors of future cardiovascular events.
The "Safe Heart Plan" also highlights the importance of digitalization and artificial intelligence as drivers of change.In this field, SERAM and SEICAT note that medical imaging is one of the most advanced areas in the clinical application of this technology.Therefore, they believe that radiologists play a key role in the management and integration of clinical and imaging data, ensuring quality, interoperability and ethical use, and in ethical use.
Organizational challenges and planning
Regarding this paradigm shift, the president of SEICAT, Eliseo Vaño Galván, noted that cardiac imaging in radiology services is "already a real field" and that its volume will increase in the coming years.For this reason, he defended the need to adapt to this situation and accepted the "great value" of these methods to improve the cardiovascular health and survival of the population.
The two communities also warn of a significant organizational challenge caused by the steady increase in demand for imaging studies.Faced with this, they want adequate planning of resources, strengthening of professional training, improvement of accessibility and reorganization of care areas to ensure equitable and sustainable implementation in the long term.
Finally, they reiterate their willingness to work closely with other scientific societies and health authorities to promote the effective implementation of the Spanish "Safe Heart Plan" in clinical practice and health policy planning.
