Increase in Utilization of Percutaneous Renal Artery Interventions by Medicare Beneficiaries, 1996–2000

Abstract

Among Medicare beneficiaries, the volume of percutaneous renal artery interventions is increasing rapidly, whereas the volume of renal artery surgery is declining. Most growth in percutaneous renal artery revascularization is attributed to increased performance by cardiologists; explosive growth in annual procedure volume by cardiologists occurred in some regions. Marked disparity in use among CMS regions was found.