Background: Left ventriculography (LVG) is a gold standard examination of left ventricular function, although it also involves a small but significant risk of complications. However, it was recently reported to be overused in the USA in comparison to an alternative imaging modality. In this study, our aim was to analyze the real-world use of LVG in Taiwan.
Methods: This cohort study analyzed the data in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Bureau database for patients undergoing coronary angiography from 1996-2008. The most recent imaging modalities were used to evaluate left ventricular function including echocardiography and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) within 30-day. The primary outcome was the concomitant use of LVG during coronary angiography.
Results: Of 8653 patients who underwent coronary angiography, LVG was performed on 4634 (53.6%) of those study participants. The frequency of LVG use was lower in the groups indicating left ventricular function evaluation, including acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and shock (49.5 vs. 57.1%, p < 0.001). In the population that had undergone a recent left ventricular assessment, the use of LVG was lower (52.2% vs. 54.7%, p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis found that 30-day imaging tests are not a predictor for use of LVG.
Conclusions: In Taiwan, about one half of those patients whose data we reviewed actually received coronary angiography and LVG at the same time. Ultimately, we found that there was no overuse of LVG in those patients with recent alternative imaging modality performed.
Key words: Angiography; Coronary; Ventriculography.