PURPOSE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in the preoperative planning of treatment in patients with limb-threatening peripheral vascular disease (PVD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A decision model was developed to study the effects of MR angiography on the outcome and cost of treatment. The authors calculated the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-years gained (ie, cost-effectiveness ratio) when conventional angiography was replaced or supplemented with MR angiography. Previously reported data regarding the accuracies of MR and conventional angiography were used in the analysis. RESULTS: The cost-effectiveness ratio of MR angiography ranged from negative (cost-reducing) values to $78,000. For the base case in which the sensitivity and specificity of MR angiography for the evaluation of inflow vessels were 92% and 88% and those of conventional angiography were 97% and 97%, respectively, the cost-effectiveness ratio was $25,895. CONCLUSION: MR angiography may be a cost-effective alternative to conventional angiography in patients with limb-threatening PVD if its accuracy for the inflow evaluation reaches certain thresholds. Further prospective investigation is warranted.
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Yin et al. (1995) studied this question.