Copyright © 2005, The European Society of Cardiology
Can we Justify the Cost of Echocardiography? Lessons from Outcomes Research
University of Queensland Department of Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Brisbane, Qld Q4102, Australia
Received 8 January 2005; accepted after revision 24 January 2005.
* Tel.: +61 7 3240 5340; fax: +61 7 3240 5399. E-mail: tmarwick@soms.uq.edu.au
| Abstract |
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The inexorable growth in the performance of cardiac imaging studies has led to a significant reduction in reimbursement for these services, which are already being reimbursed at levels that are quite similar to their cost. This paper seeks to apply the principles of analysis of cost-effectiveness to echocardiography. Opportunities are summarized for reducing cost and maximizing effectiveness, and different approaches to defining cost-effectiveness are examined for valvular, myocardial and ischemic indications.
Keywords: Echocardiography; Cost-effectiveness; Outcomes