Abstract
PURPOSE: To examine the cost implications of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in lower extremity deep venous intervention.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed Medicare claims data from 2016-2021 for beneficiaries aged ≥ 65 years undergoing lower extremity venous interventions. Gamma regression adjusted for demographics and comorbidities assessed cost ratios for IVUS- vs. non-IVUS-guided procedures standardized to duration of follow-up. Rates of rehospitalization for causes attributable to complications of intervention were compared between IVUS and non-IVUS guided procedures by Cox regression. Results are shown as estimates with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS: Among 52,610 patients, 42.6% underwent IVUS-guided procedures including stent placement, thrombolysis, or thrombectomy. IVUS use was highest in outpatient settings (75.3%) and ambulatory surgical center/outpatient-based laboratory (ASC/OBL; 86.4%), and lowest inpatient (10.4%). In all settings, IVUS use was associated with cost savings. In the inpatient setting, IVUS guidance was associated with a cost ratio of 0.91 (0.88-0.95) at 90 days, compared to 0.71 (0.6-0.73) in ASC/OBL and 0.73 (0.71-0.76) in hospital-based outpatient settings. Cost savings persisted at one- and three-year follow-up. IVUS guidance was associated with lower one-year complication-related hospitalization in outpatient procedures (HR = 0.73 [0.62-0.86]) and ASC/OBL procedures (HR = 0.78 [0.66-0.91]). Cost savings were present in stenting procedures at 90 days (cost ratio 0.71 [0.69-0.73]), whereas there was cost neutrality in thrombectomy (cost ratio 1.02 [0.97-1.08]) and thrombolysis (cost ratio 0.89 [0.75-1.05]).
CONCLUSIONS: IVUS-guided venous intervention was associated with durable cost savings and reductions in rehospitalization in all procedural settings among procedures involving stent deployment.