Use of cardiac MRI, CT increases but is less compared to other heart imaging modalities: Study

USA: Cardiovascular CT and MRI use has been increasing and so is the number of radiologists providing these exams, finds a recent study in the journal Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging. Though they still make up a fraction of the number of cardiac exams being performed annually. 

Both cardiovascular MRI and CT are used less frequently in comparison with other cardiovascular imaging modalities despite being increasingly available. James W. Goldfarb and Jonathan Weber from St Francis Hospital & Heart Center, Roslyn, NY, and colleagues aimed to assess the characteristics and trends of cardiovascular MRI and CT practitioners and practice in the US. 

For the purpose, the researchers performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 2012–2017 Medicare Part B physician payments from the Provider Utilization and Payment Data Physician and Other Supplier Public Use Files (POSPUF). They analyzed the characteristics of cardiovascular MRI and CT, including the number of providers and examinations, provider sex and location, and physician reimbursement. Variable means, standard deviations, and changes per year were reported and compared.