IMV: Cardiologists using less imaging

Efforts to crack down on the inappropriate use of medical imaging may be working, as cardiologists expect to use fewer medical imaging modalities per patient case in the future, according to a new report by market research firm IMV Medical Information Division.

In 2008, cardiologists might have used three or four diagnostic imaging tests to diagnose a particular condition, but the recent research shows they are now inclined to use fewer types of exams, noted study author Lorna Young, senior director of market research at IMV.

The trend may be the result of increasing use of appropriateness criteria guidelines for cardiology imaging, as well as growth in the use of increasingly restrictive precertification requirements for reimbursement of imaging tests, the report concluded.

The report also determined the following:

• Two-thirds of U.S. cardiologists order some CT angiography exams on a monthly basis, while more than 90% routinely order SPECT, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization procedures for their patients.
• More than 60% of the cardiology practices represented in the survey sample presently own or lease at least one piece of SPECT or SPECT/CT equipment, and 95% have at least one echocardiography unit in their practice.
• Echocardiography represents one of the top two diagnostic imaging modalities for 10 of the 11 cardiac conditions covered in the survey.
• Going forward, MR angiography is expected to be a top three modality for evaluating valvular heart disease conditions by 2014.

IMV's study was conducted with more than 200 U.S. cardiologists in July and August 2011.

Disclosure notice: AuntMinnie.com is owned by IMV, Ltd.