Patient selection for arterial procedures in office-based laboratories: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Office-based labs (OBLs) have seen increased vascular procedures since 2008.
• Increased reimbursement by Medicare and Medicaid Services has driven this trend.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the appropriateness of arterial interventions in OBLs.
• To assess patient selection for these outpatient procedures.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of Google Scholar and PubMed.
• Search terms included: office-based lab, outpatient, angioplasty, patient selection, arterial, appropriateness.
• 14 publications were selected from over 500 screened.

Main Results:

• Reviewed literature on patient selection, complication rates, and short-term safety/efficacy.
• Discussed existing data on outpatient peripheral arterial interventions.

Conclusions:

• Short-term data on safety and efficacy of OBL interventions are available.
• Significant gaps exist in knowledge regarding long-term outcomes.
• Guidelines for managing peripheral arterial disease in OBLs are lacking.