In-hospital costs associated with new percutaneous coronary devices.
To determine the relative economic impact of alternative methods of coronary revascularization, in-hospital patient accounts were reviewed in 149 patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty (n = 50), coronary atherectomy (n = 72) or intracoronary stent placement (n = 27) over an 18-month period. Clinical and angiographic features were similar in the 3 groups, except that prior restenosis was seen more often in patients undergoing intracoronary stent placement. Procedural success, obtained in greater than 90% of patients, was independent of the treatment strategy. Total in-hospital stay was significantly longer in patients undergoing intracoronary stent placement than in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty and directional atherectomy (4.9 +/- 2.4 days vs 1.5 +/- 1.3 and 2.2 +/- 3.9 days, respectively; p less than 0.0001). Furthermore, the total in-hospital charges were significantly higher in patients undergoing intracoronary stent placement ($12,574 +/- $4,564 vs $6,220 +/- $5,716; p less than 0.001) and directional atherectomy ($8,329 +/- $8,588 vs $6,220 +/- $5,716; p less than 0.01) than in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty, reflecting overall differences in room costs, laboratory fees and pharmacy fees. The longer in-hospital stay in the intracoronary stent group was primarily attributed to the time required for anticoagulation with coumadin. It is concluded that a 102 and 34% increase in early hospital charges resulted with stenting or directional atherectomy, respectively, compared with coronary angioplasty. These increased in-hospital charges were chiefly due to the prolonged hospitalization time, device cost, laboratory fees and, in patients with intracoronary stents, the prolonged time needed to achieve systemic anticoagulation.
Dick
R J
RJ
Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology Division), University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109-0022.
Popma
J J
JJ
Muller
D W
DW
Burek
K A
KA
Topol
E J
EJ
D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000601:surgery*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D015607:Stents / Q000191:economics*