Work

Improving Patient Access and Scanning Efficiency in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a comprehensive noninvasive diagnostic tool for cardiac conditions. Factors affecting CMR efficiency include image acquisition, analysis, patient compliance, scan times, scanner accessibility, and expert personnel availability. PROJECT RATIONALE: This project aimed to optimize image acquisition time and diagnostic accuracy in CMR by in-person and remote real-time supervision of pathology-driven scan protocols tailored to the most likely clinical diagnosis. PROJECT SUMMARY: A review of 343 contrast and noncontrast CMR scans revealed a statistically significant 35.1% decrease in average scan duration from preintervention to postintervention, from 94.78 to 61.49 minutes, with improved diagnostic accuracy. This decrease directly resulted in an increase in CMR scan volume of 32% at the main campus and 200% at a satellite campus, as well as the establishment of a new CMR imaging service line at a third satellite campus. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Streamlining CMR workflow improves efficiency, patient access, and diagnostic accuracy, leading to better patient outcomes.

Source: JACC Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2025.105656