Application of pediatric appropriate use criteria for initial outpatient evaluation of syncope. Issue 3 (8th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phelps, Heather M.; Kelleman, Michael S.; McCracken, Courtney E.; Benavidez, Oscar J.; Campbell, Robert M.; Douglas, Pamela S.; Eidem, Benjamin W.; Lai, Wyman W.; Lopez, Leo; Stern, Kenan W. D.; Welch, Elizabeth; Sachdeva, Ritu
• Is Part Of: Echocardiography. Volume 34:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 441
• Page End: 445
• Publication Date: 2017-02-08
• Subjects: appropriate use -- congenital heart defects -- congenital heart disease -- syncope -- transthoracic echocardiography; Echocardiography -- Periodicals; Echocardiography -- Periodicals; 616.1207543
• DOI: 10.1111/echo.13475
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-2822

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Syncope is a common reason for outpatient transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). We studied the applicability of pediatric appropriate use criteria (AUC) on initial outpatient evaluation of children (≤18 years) with syncope. Methods: Data were obtained before (Phase I, April–September 2014) and after (Phase II, January‐April 2015) the release of the AUC document from six participating pediatric cardiology centers. Site investigators determined the indication for TTE and assigned appropriateness rating based on the AUC document: Appropriate (A), May Be Appropriate (M), Rarely Appropriate (R), or "unclassifiable" (U) if it did not fit any scenario in the AUC document. Results: Of the total 4562 TTEs, 310 (6.8%) were performed for syncope: 174/2655 (6.6%) Phase I and 136/1907 (7.1%) Phase II, P =.44. Overall, 168 (50.5%) were for indications rated A, 63 (18.9%) for M, 79 (23.7%) for R, and 23 (6.9%) for U. Release of AUC did not change the appropriateness of TTEs [A=51.6% vs 49.0%, P =.63, R=20.2% vs 28.3%, P =.09]. Overall syncope‐related R indications formed 15.7% of R indications for all the echocardiograms performed in the entire Pediatric Appropriate Use (PAUSE) study (11.9% Phase I and 22.4% Phase II, P =.002). TTEs were normal in majority of the patients except 7 that had incidental findings. Conclusions: In conclusion, syncope is a common reason for indications rated R and release of the AUC document did not improve appropriate utilization of TTE in syncope. Targeted educational interventions are needed to reduce unnecessary TTEs in children with syncope.