[Angiography: safety x economy].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and cost of angiofluoresceinographic examination by using both the least amount of dye as well as digital equipment along with a laser photocopier.


METHODS
Prospective and comparative study carried out in a group of 70 patients, who underwent an angiographic evaluation with a conventional retinographer injecting 5 ml sodium fluorescein at 10% (control group) as well as a group of 70 patients who underwent an angiographic evaluation with a digital retinographer injecting 2 ml fluorescein at 10% (study group). Arterial pressure, heart rate and oximetry were assessed prior to and after the dye injection. Organic reactions related to the examination were reported. Photograph quality as well as cost between the two techniques were compared.


RESULTS
Control group patients showed a greater increase in systolic and diastolic arterial pressure. Heart rate, oximetry measurement and adverse reactions did not show any significant statistical differences between both groups. As for the quality of photographs, a better performance was noticed in the control group. As for the cost, the examination carried out in the study group required lower cost and thus saved around 54.8% per examination in relation to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The examination carried out with a lower dose of fluorescein using digital equipment along with a laser photocopier provided greater stability in the systolic and diastolic arterial pressure. However, it did not have any influence on heart rate, oximetry or adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, syncope and rashes. The quality of photographs was poor although they enabled diagnosis as well as therapy follow-up for those who carried out the examination. Moreover, economically the above procedure represented a gain of 66.26%, against 25.81% in relation to the conventional equipment.
Torres
Rogil José de Almeida
RJ
Instituto Penido Burnier, Campinas, SP, Brazil. rjat@terra.com.br
Muccioli
Cristina
C
Casella
Antonio Marcelo Barbante
AM
Regonha
Eduardo
E
Luchini
Andréa
A
Weiss
Wilma
W
Frecceiro
Paulo Roberto
PR
D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D010092:Oximetry; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology
D003287:Contrast Media; D019793:Fluorescein