Interventional radiologists performing endovascular lower-extremity revascularization saved Medicare more than $1,000 per case compared to vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists performing the procedure, according to a study in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
Researchers analyzed the outcomes for Medicare patients undergoing endovascular lower-extremity revascularization by vascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists or interventional radiologists from 2005-2007. They found that procedures by interventional radiologists saved an average of $1,372 per case compared to procedures performed by vascular surgeons. Compared to cases performed by interventional cardiologists, procedures performed by interventional radiologists saved an average of $1,456 per case. The authors estimated that interventional radiologists could have saved Medicare up to $210 million if they performed all ELER procedures for Medicare patients in 2006.
In addition, interventional radiologists and interventional cardiologists had better outcomes than vascular surgeons based on mortality, transfusion, intensive care unit use, length of stay and subsequent revascularization or amputation.
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Researchers analyzed the outcomes for Medicare patients undergoing endovascular lower-extremity revascularization by vascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists or interventional radiologists from 2005-2007. They found that procedures by interventional radiologists saved an average of $1,372 per case compared to procedures performed by vascular surgeons. Compared to cases performed by interventional cardiologists, procedures performed by interventional radiologists saved an average of $1,456 per case. The authors estimated that interventional radiologists could have saved Medicare up to $210 million if they performed all ELER procedures for Medicare patients in 2006.
In addition, interventional radiologists and interventional cardiologists had better outcomes than vascular surgeons based on mortality, transfusion, intensive care unit use, length of stay and subsequent revascularization or amputation.
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