December 10, 2009

Some Patients Get Inappropriate Nuclear Stress Tests

By Kelley Luckstein

Roughly 1 in 7 patients given SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in a study of real-world clinical practice should not have received such testing, according to findings published online December 9, 2009, ahead of print in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The researchers noted that a computer algorithm used in the study can help reduce inappropriate testing.

 

The results were first presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session this past March in Orlando, FL…

 

In an accompanying editorial, Todd D. Miller, MD, and J. Wells Askew, MD, both of the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), write that the researchers “have demonstrated a practical and efficient method to facilitate application of AUC in clinical practice. Strengthening the AUC ratings process would enhance the credibility of using AUC to control medical costs.” Specifically, the definition of appropriate use should be more rigorous and evidence-based.

 

TCTMD,  by Kim Dalton, 12/9/09

Tags: Cardiology, nuclear stress test

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