Temporal trends in the utilization of echocardiography in Ontario, 2001 to 2009

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2013 Apr;6(4):515-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2012.10.026.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine utilization and growth in echocardiography among the general population of Ontario between 2001 and 2009. The age- and sex-adjusted rates of echocardiography grew from 39.1 per 1,000 persons in 2001 to 59.9 per 1,000 persons in 2009, for an annual rate of increase of 5.5%. Repeat echocardiograms increased at a rate of 10.6% per year and accounted for 25.3% of all procedures in 2009 as compared to 18.5% in 2002. While significant increases in echocardiography utilization were observed, opportunities may exist to improve the clinical utility of the echocardiograms performed in Ontario.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Echocardiography / statistics & numerical data
  • Echocardiography / trends*
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ontario
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / trends*
  • Time Factors