Voxel-wise quantification of myocardial blood flow with cardiovascular magnetic resonance: effect of variations in methodology and validation with positron emission tomography.

Background: Quantitative assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF) from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) perfusion images appears to offer advantages over qualitative assessment. Currently however, clinical translation is lacking, at least in part due to considerable disparity in quantification methodology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of common methodological differences in CMR voxel-wise measurement of MBF, using position emission tomography (PET) as external validation.

Is a target culture in health care always compatible with efficient use of resources? A cost-effectiveness analysis of an intervention to achieve thrombolysis targets.

Background: The UK government has attempted to improve the quality of health care in the National Health Service and minimize geographical variations in quality by imposing targets in certain areas of health care. The measures taken by local health economies to achieve these targets have not before been subjected to cost-effectiveness analysis. We have assessed the cost effectiveness of an intervention designed to achieve thrombolysis time targets.