Coronary artery bypass grafting: how much does it cost?
OBJECTIVE
To calculate the cost of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to compare it with the costs determined in two previous Canadian studies.


METHODS
Retrospective cost-analysis study.


METHODS
A tertiary care referral hospital.


METHODS
Fifty patients who had undergone successful triple and quadruple CABG between Jan. 3 and 30, 1989.


RESULTS
The cost of CABG per patient varied from $10,982 to $33,676 (mean $14,328) (in 1988 Canadian dollars). The cost tended to increase with age and number of vessels grafted. Compared with the patients in the two previous Canadian studies our patients were older, had more vessels grafted and cost more to treat, even after the total hospital costs were adjusted for inflation.


CONCLUSIONS
The population undergoing CABG is changing: it is older and has more diseased vessels. These changes have had a significant impact on the cost of CABG. Further study is required to determine the outcome and benefit of CABG in this group of patients.
Krueger
H
H
Clinical Resource Management Support Group, Vancouver General Hospital, BC.
Goncalves
J L
JL
Caruth
F M
FM
Hayden
R I
RI
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001955:British Columbia; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged