Appropriateness and Cost-Effectiveness of Echocardiograms Ordered by Pediatric Cardiologists and Primary Care Providers for Syncope

Preoperative Echocardiogram Does Not Contribute to Surgical Risk Assessment in Patients With Large Curve Scoliosis and No Cardiac Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE

Severe scoliosis can affect thoracic organs, potentially leading to cardiovascular abnormalities. Thus, echocardiograms have been suggested for use in preoperative screening in patients with significant scoliosis. However, the utility of preoperative heart screenings in patients without known or suspected heart problems is not well understood. This study aims to find the incidence of cardiac findings in patients with severe scoliosis ≥90° without cardiac history.

METHODS

A single-institution retrospective chart review was performed. Inclusion criteria were scoliosis patients with curves ≥90 degrees and a screening echocardiogram performed within 6 months of spine surgery. Patients with a previous cardiac history, diagnosis associated with cardiac comorbidities (eg, connective tissue disease), or major coronal curves <90 degrees were excluded. Echocardiogram reports and perioperative clinical notes from involved services (including orthopaedics, cardiology, and anesthesia) were reviewed. Any postoperative use of vasopressors and reasons for their use were recorded.

RESULTS

Overall, 50 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at surgery was 14.0 ± 4.9 years old (range: 2 to 33). The mean major curve was 108 ± 19 degrees (range: 90 to 160 degrees). A normal echocardiogram was seen in 38 (76%), whereas 6 patients (12%) had mild dilation of the aortic sinus or root, 4 (8%) had mild valvular regurgitation, 1 patient had a small atrial septal defect, and 1 had a trace pericardial effusion. No patient had any changes made to their perioperative plan and one patient was advised to see a cardiologist postoperatively. Postoperatively, 8 patients (16%) received vasopressors to raise blood pressure to meet preset goal MAP, but only one of these 8 had a positive echocardiogram (mild valvular insufficiency), which was not seen as a contributing factor to the use of pressors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that screening echocardiograms for patients without a cardiac history or related symptoms does not contribute to the evaluation of perioperative risk or anesthetic management. Creating clear, evidence-based guidelines for the utilization of perioperative testing, like echocardiograms, can reduce the social, time, and financial burdens on families. Such guidelines are vital for appropriate risk assessment and proper utilization of health care resources.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Cost of Low-Value Imaging Worldwide: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Imaging with low or no benefit for the patient undermines the quality of care and amounts to vast opportunity costs. More than 3.6 billion imaging examinations are performed annually, and about 20-50% of these are of low value. This study aimed to synthesize knowledge of the costs of low-value imaging worldwide.

METHODS

This systematic review was based on the PRISMA statement. The database search was developed in Medline and further adapted to Embase-Ovid, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. Primary empirical studies assessing the costs of low-value diagnostic imaging were included if published between 2012 and March 2022. Studies designed as randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, descriptive studies, cost analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, and mixed-methods studies were eligible. The analysis was descriptive.

RESULTS

Of 5,567 records identified, 106 were included. Most of the studies included were conducted in the USA (n = 76), and a hospital or medical center was the most common setting (n = 82). Thirty-eight of the included studies calculated the costs of multiple imaging modalities; in studies with only one imaging modality included, conventional radiography was the most common (n = 32). Aggregated costs for low-value examinations amounts to billions of dollars per year globally. Initiatives to reduce low-value imaging may reduce costs by up to 95% without harming patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first systematic review of the cost of low-value imaging worldwide, documenting a high potential for cost reduction. Given the universal challenges with resource allocation, the large amount used for low-value imaging represents a vast opportunity cost and offers great potential to improve the quality and efficiency of care.