On June 5, 1978, SCAI held its first Annual Meeting. It instituted a committee structure designed to develop new information that would be used to promote and guide future laboratory activities. Emphasis was placed on registration of all procedures performed by members, development of quality standards for laboratories, establishment of criteria for credentialing physicians and directors, and presentation of guidelines for training in cardiac catheterization and angiography.
SCAI is a non-profit professional association with over 4,500 members representing interventional cardiologists and cardiac catheterization teams in the United States. SCAI promotes excellence in interventional cardiovascular medicine for both adults and children through education, representation, and the advancement of quality standards to enhance patient care.