What Influences the Frequency of Angiography … Cardiologists?

  1. Jack V. Tu, MD, PhD;
  2. C. David Naylor, MD, DPhil; and
  3. Edward L. Hannan, PhD
  1. University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada State University of New York Albany, NY 12144

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    IN RESPONSE:

    We are grateful to Drs. Page and Bell for their interest in our study. We agree with them that coronary anatomy is not the only consideration in the management of patients with ischemic heart disease and that the number of cardiologists is probably an important determinant of rates of coronary angiography. On the basis of data from various unpublished and published sources [1, 2], we estimate that New York State has approximately two to three times as many cardiologists per capita as Ontario does. However, we caution that directly comparable data based on identical definitions of a cardiologist are currently not available. Further studies of physician supply and the practice styles of cardiologists in the two regions would provide further insight into the differences in rates of coronary angiography and CABG surgery in Ontario and New York State.

    Jack V. Tu, MD, PhD

    C. David Naylor, MD, DPhil

    University of Toronto Toronto Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada

    Edward L. Hannan, PhD

    State University of New York Albany, NY 12144

    The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:

    •Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references

    •Type with double-spacing

    •Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.

    Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.

    Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.

    References

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