Editor’s Perspective Reflections on Performance Measurement in Cardiovascular Disease

formance Measures, I have been reflecting on the work of the Task Force and the evolution of the field of perfor-mance measurement in cardiovascular disease. I have noticed several consistent themes that merit discussion, given that performance measurement will certainly play an ever more prominent role in the work of clinicians, investigators, and policy-makers. The first is that engagement by clinicians is not only strategically wise—it is also our obligation. Although not all clinicians are convinced, most seem to have accepted the fact that the care that they deliver will be measured. The ACCF/AHA could certainly have decided to fight measurement efforts rather than embrace them. If they had, however, the situation for cardiovascular clinicians would be much worse. Purchasers and consumers insist o