RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Regional variation in cardiovascular magnetic resonance service delivery across the UK
JF Heart
JO Heart
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society
SP 1974
OP 1979
DO 10.1136/heartjnl-2020-318667
VO 107
IS 24
A1 Niall G Keenan
A1 Gabriella Captur
A1 Gerry P McCann
A1 Colin Berry
A1 Saul G Myerson
A1 Timothy Fairbairn
A1 Lucy Hudsmith
A1 Declan P O'Regan
A1 Mark Westwood
A1 John P Greenwood
YR 2021
UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/107/24/1974.abstract
AB Objectives To examine service provision in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the UK. Equitable access to diagnostic imaging is important in healthcare. CMR is widely available in the UK, but there may be regional variations.Methods An electronic survey was sent by the British Society of CMR to the service leads of all CMR units in the UK in 2019 requesting data from 2017 and 2018. Responses were analysed by region and interpreted alongside population statistics.Results The survey response rate was 100% (82 units). 100 386 clinical scans were performed in 2017 and 114 967 in 2018 (15% 1-year increase; 5-fold 10-year increase compared with 2008 data). In 2018, there were 1731 CMR scans/million population overall, with significant regional variation, for example, 4256 scans/million in London vs 396 scans/million in Wales. Median number of clinical scans per unit was 780, IQR 373–1951, range 98–10 000, with wide variation in mean waiting times (median 41 days, IQR 30–49, range 5–180); median 25 days in London vs 180 days in Northern Ireland). Twenty-five units (30%) reported mean elective waiting times in excess of 6 weeks, and 8 (10%) ≥3 months. There were 351 consultants reporting CMR, of whom 230 (66%) were cardiologists and 121 (34%) radiologists; 81% of units offered a CMR service for patients with pacemakers and defibrillators.Conclusions This survey provides a unique, contemporary insight into national CMR delivery with 100% centre engagement. The 10-year growth in CMR usage at fivefold has been remarkable but heterogeneous across the UK, with some regions still reporting low usage or long waiting times which may be of clinical concern.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information.