ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: During cardiology training, the cardiology fellow has to be trained in all things related to the indication, interpretation, and performing of nuclear cardiology studies using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The aim of the present study was to analyse the relationship between the adequacy of indications of myocardial perfusion gated-SPECT and the years of experience since the completion of cardiology training. METHOD: A descriptive, retrospective analysis was performed on a single-centre register, in which the indications (adequate or inadequate use) were recorded according to myocardial perfusion gated-SPECT guidelines, prescribed by cardiologists of a university hospital. RESULTS: A total of 950 gated-SPECT tests were analysed according to the appropriate or inadequate indication. The sample of study was distributed in quartiles (years) since the cardiologist finished the residency. Cardiologists with less than 10 years of clinical experience reported a higher proportion of gated-SPECT tests compared to the more experienced cardiologists (87.6 vs. 9.3%, P<.001). After adjusting for age, gender, and cardiovascular risk factors, the multivariate analysis showed that, for each year of experience after completion of cardiology training, the probability of adequately indicating the test (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.29-1.38, P<.001) was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The professional experience of the clinical cardiologist is the most important factor to perform an appropriate indication of gated-SPECT myocardial perfusion.
Subject(s)
Cardiac-Gated Single-Photon Emission Computer-Assisted Tomography/methods , Cardiologists/standards , Clinical Competence , Myocardial Perfusion Imaging/methods , Aged , Cardiologists/education , Cardiology/education , Female , Hospitals, University , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Resumen Objetivo: Durante el período de formación, el residente de cardiología ha de entrenarse en todo lo relacionado con la indicación, la interpretación y realización de imágenes en cardiología nuclear que usan la tomografía computarizada por emisión de fotón simple (SPECT). El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la relación existente entre la adecuación de las indicaciones del gated-SPECT de perfusión miocárdica y los años de experiencia desde la finalización de la residencia de cardiología. Método: Registro descriptivo, retrospectivo y unicéntrico, en el que se analizaron las indicaciones (uso adecuado e inadecuado), según las guías de la gated-SPECT de perfusión miocárdica, prescritas por cardiólogos de un hospital universitario. Resultados: Se analizaron un total de 950 pruebas de gated-SPECT de acuerdo a la indicación adecuada e inadecuada y se distribuyeron por cuartiles los años de finalización de la residencia del cardiólogo prescriptor. Los cardiólogos de menos de 10 años de experiencia clínica indican de forma inadecuada una mayor proporción de pruebas de gated-SPECT que los cardiólogos de mayor experiencia (87,6 vs. 9,3%: p < 0,001). Tras ajustar por edad, sexo y factores de riesgo cardiovascular, el análisis multivariante mostró que por cada año de experiencia tras finalizar la residencia de cardiología aumenta un 33% la probabilidad de indicar de forma adecuada la prueba (OR: 1,33; IC 95%: 1,29-1,38; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: La experiencia profesional del cardiólogo clínico es el factor más importante para realizar una indicación adecuada de la gated-SPECT de perfusión miocárdica.
Abstract Objective: During cardiology training, the cardiology fellow has to be trained in all things related to the indication, interpretation, and performing of nuclear cardiology studies using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The aim of the present study was to analyse the relationship between the adequacy of indications of myocardial perfusion gated-SPECT and the years of experience since the completion of cardiology training. Method: A descriptive, retrospective analysis was performed on a single-centre register, in which the indications (adequate or inadequate use) were recorded according to myocardial perfusion gated-SPECT guidelines, prescribed by cardiologists of a university hospital. Results: A total of 950 gated-SPECT tests were analysed according to the appropriate or inade- quate indication. The sample of study was distributed in quartiles (years) since the cardiologist finished the residency. Cardiologists with less than 10 years of clinical experience reported a higher proportion of gated-SPECT tests compared to the more experienced cardiologists (87.6 vs. 9.3%, P < .001). After adjusting for age, gender, and cardiovascular risk factors, the multiva- riate analysis showed that, for each year of experience after completion of cardiology training, the probability of adequately indicating the test (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.29-1.38, P < .001) was statistically significant. Conclusions: The professional experience of the clinical cardiologist is the most important factor to perform an appropriate indication of gated-SPECT myocardial perfusion.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Clinical Competence , Cardiac-Gated Single-Photon Emission Computer-Assisted Tomography , Myocardial Perfusion Imaging/methods , Cardiologists/standards , Cardiology/education , Multivariate Analysis , Retrospective Studies , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Cardiologists/education , Hospitals, UniversityABSTRACT
Coronary artery aneurysm is defined as a coronary dilation that exceeds the diameter of adjacent segments or the diameter of the patient's largest normal coronary vessel by 1.5×. It is an uncommon disease that has been diagnosed with increasing frequency since the widespread appearance of coronary angiography. The published incidence varies from 1.5% to 5%, suggesting male dominance and a predilection for the right coronary artery. Although several causes have been described, atherosclerosis accounts for ≥50% of coronary aneurysms in adults. Reported complications include thrombosis and distal embolization, rupture, and vasospasm, causing ischemia, heart failure, or arrhythmias. The natural history and prognosis remain unknown, as definitive data are scarce. Controversies persist regarding the use of medical management (antithrombotic therapy) or interventional/surgical procedures. Only some case reports or small case series are available about this condition. The Coronary Artery Aneurysm Registry (CAAR; http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02563626) is a multicenter international ambispective registry that aims to provide insights on anatomic, epidemiologic, and clinical aspects of this substantially unknown entity. In addition, the registry will assess management strategies (conservative, interventional, or surgical) and their short- and long-term results in a large cohort of patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02563626.