Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in today's economic climate; a cost effectiveness analysis

Results Of the 361 studies, a significant impact was observed in 256 (71%) pts based on CMR results. Of these, 69 (27%) pts received a new diagnosis. Additionally, CMR results avoided invasive procedures in 38 pts and prevented layered testing in 26 pts. Translating these results in to cost benefit analysis, there was a total benefit of $1248,939 and a total loss of $ 415,902, indicating net savings of $ 833,037 for the study group as a whole (see Figure 1). The most savings were observed in pts who received a new diagnosis such as tumor not thrombus, sarcoid not ARVD or benign mass not cancer, and the least, in the routine follow up of clinically stable patients with vascular pathologies such as aneurysms, dissections or pulmonary vein imaging post ablation for atrial fibrillation.