CAD-RADS: A Giant First Step Toward a Common Lexicon?

C oronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) use is growing rapidly, and multiple studies have shown its value in improving patient care. However, CTA providers range across the cardiology and radiology specialties and have developed their own styles of reporting. This can bring some variability in the way test results are reported. The presence of a common lexicon linking reporting phrases to actionable recommendations will simplify reporting structure and communication to end users. Such standardized, terminology-based recommendations have been adopted in breast, liver, and prostate imaging, and such an approach greatly helps clinicians understand what a report means and what should be done next. Despite some early teething troubles and controversy (1,2), these programs have come to stay and have possibly improved patient care. Nothing similar exists for CTA. The Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS), published in this issue of iJACC (3), is a great first step in this direction. It is a welcome collaborative effort by the radiology and cardiology communities, supported by other involved societies, an exemplary attempt to take the best ideas from all stakeholders with an eye toward improving patient care. The inclusion of diverse parties in the development process helped promote consensus and facilitated acceptance of the first reporting and data system, the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data