Prior restraint: a Bayesian perspective on the optimization of technology utilization for diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
In conclusion, at least 1/3 of patients with suspected coronary artery disease are inappropriately referred for scintigraphic diagnostic testing from a Bayesian such as those described in this report, may be a powerful mechanism for encouraging more appropriate technology utilization while simultaneously controlling costs, and are thereby deserving of a formal prospective demonstration trial. However, since only half the patients currently being tested are referred for diagnostic purposes, analogous strategies must be developed with respect to prognostic and therapeutic evaluation.
Diamond
G A
GA
Division of Cardiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
Denton
T A
TA
Berman
D S
DS
Cohen
I
I
D000368:Aged; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000191:economics; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015637:Gated Blood-Pool Imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*