The value of in vitro diagnostic testing in the provision of medical care to patients with cardiovascular diseases

In vitro diagnostics are used at all stages of patient care. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of laboratory examination on clinical decision-making in providing medical care to patients with a cardiovascular profile. We also took into account the level of financing for the laboratory industry in the Russian Federation. We divided our study on three sequential steps: literature review, survey of clinicians and test-survey of clinicians. The share of costs for the laboratory tests in 2017 amounted to about 8% of the total funding for Russian health care. About 80% (70; 90) of the visits of the attending physicians are associated with the appointment of laboratory tests. Among patients who were prescribed any laboratory test - in 62.1% (95% CI 16.9-24.9) cases, the results of these tests influenced clinical decision making related to the initiation, modification or termination of any treatment. All visits of clinicians were divided by purpose: tests were prescribed in almost 100% (90; 100) cases during the initial examination, in 40% (20; 60) cases during repeated visits, and in 40% (15; 40) cases when patients were examined before discharge. In more than half of cases (57,4%; n=31), doctors correctly assumed about the about the share of financing of the laboratory industry. The majority of respondents considered the amount of expenses adequate and recommended to maintain the current level in the future. According to attending physicians, new laboratory markers should demonstrate additional information about clinical relevance to improve patient outcomes. Thus, in current economic realities, future laboratory tests should be financially maximally available and at the same time be clinically highly effective auxiliary instruments. It creates new challenges in finding laboratory biomarkers and putting them into clinical practice.