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- Published on: 27 January 2025
- Published on: 27 January 2025Analysis of Evolving Trends in Cerebrovascular Imaging: Increasing Reliance on CTA and Shifting Utilization of DSA
Dear Editor,
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I am writing in response to the article titled "National trends in catheter angiography and cerebrovascular imaging in a group of privately insured patients in the US," which provides a comprehensive analysis of the utilization patterns of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), computed tomography angiography (CTA), and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) over a 13-year period among a cohort of privately insured patients. The study's findings illuminate a significant transformation in cerebrovascular imaging practices, characterized by a decline in invasive imaging techniques like DSA and an exponential rise in the adoption of non-invasive imaging modalities such as CTA.
The study's key observation that DSA use has slightly decreased while CTA utilization has risen ninefold offers insight into the evolving preferences in cerebrovascular diagnostic strategies. Historically, DSA has been regarded as the gold standard for detailed vascular imaging due to its high spatial resolution and its ability to provide precise anatomical detail, especially in the context of aneurysm and vascular malformation evaluation. Despite this, the increasing reliance on CTA, as observed in the study, suggests a shift in clinical practice toward less invasive yet highly effective imaging options. This shift is likely driven by several factors, including advancements in CTA technology that have significantly enhanced its diagnostic accuracy and reduced...Conflict of Interest:
None declared.