Non-invasive imaging in cardiology for the generalist.

In contrast to invasive techniques, the goal of non-invasive cardiac imaging is to identify or exclude heart disease in response to a patient's clinical history of cardiac localizing symptoms. Imaging also aims to establish the risk of an individual developing future heart disease with a view to preventing major cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction. As well as a role in risk stratification, non-invasive cardiac imaging also helps with decision making for future medical and procedural interventions. This review outlines the non-invasive imaging modalities available to physicians to identify and risk stratify cardiovascular disease. It discusses the strengths of each imaging technique, in which circumstances it is most useful and its diagnostic accuracy.