Abstract

VAZQUEZ-ANTONA, Clara A et al. Treatment of patent ductus arteriosus: Comparison of costs between surgical and trans-catheter closures in a public institution. Arch. Cardiol. Méx. [online]. 2004, vol.74, n.4, pp.276-282. ISSN 1665-1731.

The costs of transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in relation to the surgical closure still a controvertial issue in our hospitals. The aim of the study was compared the costs of both treatments. Methods: We included 57 patients treated with transcatheter occlusion and 26 underwent surgery. Information about laboratory tests, average in hospital days of stay, anesthesia type and duration, operating and hemodinamic room costs, was gather. A database containing the costs from the institution unitary costs system in force was designed. Results: sociodemographyc characteristics were similar in both groups. Ductus size was larger in patients treated with surgery (p<0.05). In hospital stay, as well as, the number of complications after the procedure were less in the patients treated with transcatheter occlusion (p<0.05). The closure with Amplatzer^® device was more expensive than the surgical one, and both were more expensive than coil. With surgical treatment, 86.5% of the costs are due to in hospital stay, with the Amplatzer® this issues represented a 36%, however, the cost of the devices by itself represents a 40% of the total treatment cost. Conclusions: Even though total charges of Amplatzer® devices are more expensive than surgery, transcatheter occlusion represents advantages in relation to less in hospital stay, resources used and number of complications, which allows hospital resources optimization.

Keywords : Patent ductus arteriosus; Surgical treatment; Transcatheter occlusion techniques; Cost-efficacy.

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