Economic impact of preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy in high-risk coronary patients.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy in high-risk coronary patients has been demonstrated earlier.


METHODS
This study investigates the economic aspect by a detailed cost analysis of pooled information from two previously published randomized studies and 144 consecutive low-risk coronary artery bypass graft operations. Costs for patients receiving preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy before aortic cross-clamping (n = 62) were compared to those in a control group (n = 50). Detailed cost analysis was based on data provided by the hospital finance department.


RESULTS
The total hospital costs were as follows: low-risk coronary artery bypass graft operations cost 35,335+/-1,694 Swiss francs ($23,400+/-$1,121); high-risk coronary artery bypass graft without preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy cost 65,892+/-31,719 Swiss francs ($43,637+/-$21,006); and high risk coronary artery bypass graft with preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy cost 41,948+/-10,379 Swiss francs ($27,780+/-$6,874) (p = 0.0015). There were no significant differences in average cost among the preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy in high risk coronary patients is significantly cost-beneficial, With an average saving of 24,000 Swiss francs ($16,000) on the total hospital cost, a 36% cost reduction.
Christenson
J T
JT
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hôpital de la Tour, Meyrin-Geneva, Switzerland. jtchristenson@hotmail.com
Simonet
F
F
Schmuziger
M
M
D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000209:etiology; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017721:Hospital Costs; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping / Q000191:economics*; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000191:economics*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013557:Switzerland