Higher complication rates were observed in inpatient settings and in patients with COPD. Also associated with increased adverse events were prior lung cancer screening and the use of oral anticoagulants or antiplatelets.

The ACR statement also brought to light some of the unintended consequences of the FDA’s contrast media safety warning.

Established clinical guidelines hold that patients presenting with ankle issues should not receive advanced imaging ahead of standard radiography. New research shows a substantial proportion of ordering clinicians sending these patients straight to MRI anyway.

Authors of the JACR paper noted the timeliness of the proposed measures, referring to CMS’ prioritization of measures of patient outcomes.

The American College of Radiology (ACR) announced this week its government relations staff has been engaging federal agencies in an effort to improve product availability and hasten resolution of the ongoing iodine contrast shortage.

Alan Matsumoto, MD, chair of the department of radiology at the University of Virginia and vice chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors, explains how the ACR and group purchasing organizations are asking the FDA to mitigate the contrast shortage with an emergency use authorization to allow non-FDA cleared iodine contrast agents to be imported.

Gadolinium might be an alternative, stop-gap solution for interventional procedures during the current iodine contrast shortage.

Alan H. Matsumoto, MD, chair of the department of radiology at the University of Virginia and vice chair of the American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors, explains the contrast shortage situation and the tough decisions providers are being forced to make.