Appropriate utilization of cardiac magnetic resonance for the assessment of heart failure and potential associated cost savings

Abstract

3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.

Appropriate utilization of cardiac computed tomography for the assessment of stable coronary artery disease

“…No study to our knowledge has previously determined cost savings associated with differing appropriate CCTA utilization in response to publication of the AUC. Our findings reporting potential cost savings associated with publication of the AUC are consistent with similar research performed on other imaging modalities, such as MRI [14,25].…”

“…The classification for each test was completed using retrospective patient data and occasionally by contacting the referring physician when needed. However, our classification methods were similar to those used in other studies with reported success rates for classifying patients > 95% [14,15]. The retrospective nature of the study also translated to a lack of granularity in some clinical parameters, such as the processes used by referring physicians to access the AUC guidelines.…”

“…Demographic information and indication for the CCTAs were obtained from patient charts, prior imaging reports and information on the medical imaging test requisition. Following data collection, appropriateness of each CCTA was classified categorically as "appropriate", "may be appropriate" or "rarely appropriate" in a manner previously described and validated [11,[14][15][16]. In instances where information required to determine appropriateness was lacking, additional details were obtaining by contacting the ordering physician.…”