Clinical utility of inappropriate positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging: test results and cardiovascular events.

Background: Appropriate use criteria for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were developed to categorize scenarios where MPI might be beneficial (appropriate) or not (inappropriate). Few investigations have evaluated the clinical utility of this categorization strategy, particularly with positron emission tomography (PET) MPI.

Methods And Results: We conducted this retrospective cohort investigation in a Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center, on predominantly male subjects who underwent PET-MPI.

Clinician-dependent variations in inappropriate use of myocardial perfusion imaging: training, specialty, and location.

Background: Inappropriate use of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) may vary depending on the training, specialty, or practice location of the clinician.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional investigation of consecutive patients who underwent MPI at our Veterans Affairs medical center between December 2010 and July 2011. Characteristics of the MPI ordering clinicians were extracted to investigate any associations with inappropriate use.