Objective:

During cardiology training, the cardiology fellow has to be trained in all things related to the indication, interpretation, and performing of nuclear cardiology studies using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The aim of the present study was to analyse the relationship between the adequacy of indications of myocardial perfusion gated-SPECT and the years of experience since the completion of cardiology training.

Method:

A descriptive, retrospective analysis was performed on a single-centre register, in which the indications (adequate or inadequate use) were recorded according to myocardial perfusion gated-SPECT guidelines, prescribed by cardiologists of a university hospital.

Results:

A total of 950 gated-SPECT tests were analysed according to the appropriate or inade- quate indication. The sample of study was distributed in quartiles (years) since the cardiologist finished the residency. Cardiologists with less than 10 years of clinical experience reported a higher proportion of gated-SPECT tests compared to the more experienced cardiologists (87.6 vs. 9.3%, P < .001). After adjusting for age, gender, and cardiovascular risk factors, the multiva- riate analysis showed that, for each year of experience after completion of cardiology training, the probability of adequately indicating the test (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.29-1.38, P < .001) was statistically significant.

Conclusions:

The professional experience of the clinical cardiologist is the most important factor to perform an appropriate indication of gated-SPECT myocardial perfusion.

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