Appropriateness of coronary angiography after myocardial infarction among Medicare beneficiaries: managed care versus fee for service

Article Abstract:

Medicare beneficiaries who have had a heart attack are less likely to receive coronary angiography if they are covered by managed care, according to a study of 50,000 Medicare patients. Angiography is done to visualize the coronary arteries.

Usage, Services, Managed care plans (Medical care)

---

Variation in the use of cardiac procedures after acute myocardial infarction

Article Abstract:

Physicians in Texas are more likely than those in New York to perform angiography on heart attack patients, however the greater use of angiography may not reduce mortality or improve quality of life. Researchers analyzed the medical records of 1,852 heart attack patients in New York and 1,837 patients in Texas. They also interviewed 2,282 patients. The rate of cardiac catheterization within 90 days of hospitalization was 30% in New York and 45% in Texas. The rates of coronary bypass surgery and angioplasty were also higher in Texas than in New York. However, among patients with the greatest risk of another heart attack, the rates of these procedures did not differ between the states. The unadjusted mortality rates did not differ between states, however Texas patients were more likely than New York patients to have chest pain and difficulty exerting themselves.

Practice, Demographic aspects, Cardiology

---

Rating the appopriateness of coronary angiography -- do practicing physicians agree with an expert panel and with each other?

Article Abstract:

The view of many expert panels will most likely reflect the views of most doctors provided doctors from different specialties are on the panel. Expert panels are often used to rate the appropriateness of various medical procedures. Researchers asked nine members of an expert panel to rate the appropriateness of coronary angiography in heart attack patients. Their opinions were then compared to those of 1,058 doctors from several different specialties and areas of the country. Except for individual variations among cardiologists and non-cardiologists, most of the doctors agreed with the expert panel.

Evaluation, Medical care utilization

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Prediction of preterm delivery with transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix in patients with high-risk pregnancies: does cerclage prevent prematurity?
• Abstracts: Cervical shedding of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus throughout the menstrual cycle in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1
• Abstracts: Comparison of low-intensity warfarin therapy with conventional-intensity warfarin therapy for long-term prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism
• Abstracts: Concurrent Lyme disease and babesiosis: evidence for increased severity and duration of illness. Atovaquone and azithromycin for the treatment of babesiosis

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.