Performance measures developed for adults undergoing PCI

(HealthDay)—Performance measures have been developed for adults undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to a report published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Brahmajee K. Nallamothu, M.D., M.P.H., from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues have developed performance measures for PCI use that are in alignment with national standards and include criteria for appropriate use.

The authors developed a set of 11 measurements for PCI performance, including performance measures and quality metrics. These include comprehensive documentation of indications for PCI and appropriate indication for elective PCI showing that the benefits outweigh the risks. Other measures include assessment of candidacy for dual-antiplatelet therapy before PCI and use of embolic protection devices during PCI in the treatment of saphenous vein bypass graft disease. Documentation should include preprocedural glomerular filtration rate, contrast use during the procedure, and radiation dose. Measures conducted after PCI include prescription of optimal medical therapy, referral to cardiac rehabilitation to reduce the risk of recurrence, and participation in a regional or national PCI registry. Additional measures include annual volume of PCIs performed by the physician and by the hospital over the last two years and one year, respectively.

"Through these measures, we have moved beyond simple measurement of a few treatments to incorporating key concepts like appropriateness," Nallamothu said in a statement.

Several authors on the writing committee disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical, medical device, and health care industries.