Cardiovascular imaging-reflecting on 2006 predictions and new predictions for 2016.

: Cardiovascular imaging has advanced at breakneck speed over the past five years. With the steadily improving capability to image the cardiovascular system has come the appreciation that imaging is not an end in itself, but must lead to more effective and appropriate therapy in order to be clinically justified. Current economic challenges are particularly relevant to healthcare and will have major influence on further technical development and clinical application of advanced cardiovascular imaging modalities.