Cardiac nuclear imaging. Adoption of an evolving technology.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Medical Imaging Technology

Background:

• Nuclear imaging procedures are valuable for diagnosing coronary artery disease and assessing ventricular function.
• The adoption rate of these cardiac imaging techniques was increasing rapidly within the medical community.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the adoption and utilization of nuclear imaging in cardiology within U.S. hospitals in 1979.
• To project the estimated use and expenditure for these procedures by 1983.

Main Methods:

• A national survey was conducted involving 171 hospitals from a stratified sample of 200 institutions.
• Data were extrapolated to estimate national adoption rates, hospital numbers, and financial expenditures.

Main Results:

• An estimated 2,106 hospitals nationally utilized cardiac nuclear imaging in 1979.
• Hospitals with over 200 beds performed approximately 396,000 procedures, costing $93 million in 1979.
• By 1983, an estimated 4,061 hospitals were projected to offer cardiac nuclear imaging, with national spending exceeding $200 million.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac nuclear imaging adoption was widespread by 1979 and projected for significant growth by 1983.
• The rapid uptake occurred despite limited available data on the procedures' effectiveness and efficiency.