Key result
From 2004 to 2016, CTPA use for suspected pulmonary embolism increased by 450.0% (16.3% annually), chest CT increased by 66.3%, and V/Q scan use decreased by 47.1%.
Why the study?
Despite efforts to implement decision rules and reduce unnecessary CTPA testing for suspected PE, it was unclear whether advanced imaging use had diminished over time.
Population
3.6 to 4.8 million adult enrollees annually across 7 US health care systems (52 343 517 person-years)
Comparison
Chest CT vs CTPA vs V/Q scan use over time and across age groups
Design
Cohort study
Authors
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Rising CTPA use for suspected PE warrants caution on radiation and overdiagnosis; leaves open effects on outcomes versus V/Q.
Cohort
Yes
Despite efforts to reduce unnecessary testing, the use of CTPA for suspected pulmonary embolism increased by 450% between 2004 and 2016 in US health care systems.
Wang et al. (2020) conducted a cohort in Suspected pulmonary embolism. Calendar year (2004 to 2016) was evaluated on Rates of chest CT, CTPA, and V/Q scan by year and age, as well as annual change in rates over time. From 2004 to 2016, CTPA use for suspected pulmonary embolism increased by 450.0% (16.3% annually), chest CT increased by 66.3%, and V/Q scan use decreased by 47.1%.
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