Economic and angiographic factors in determining optimal catheter size in performing outpatient left-sided heart and coronary angiography.
A prospective randomized trial was performed in 300 patients to establish the optimal catheter size (5.2, 6, or 7Fr) in performing outpatient left heart and coronary arteriography. A secondary randomization was performed between an attending physician and cardiovascular fellow to determine if the experience level of the operator was an important factor when using smaller French-sized catheters. The primary end point of the trial was total resource utilization of the patient's hospitalization. Hospital cost was calculated with cost accounting methodology using a "bottom-up" approach, and physician "cost" was determined with the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale. Angiographic quality was graded with qualitative and quantitative methods. Procedures were faster and time to hemostasis shorter with smaller catheters. The more experienced operators performed faster procedures and used less fluoroscopy. In the cardiac catheterization laboratory, health-care personnel cost was higher with the 6Fr catheters and when the attending physician was the primary operator. Postprocedure care was slightly less expensive with the smaller catheters. Overall, there was no difference in total cost between the catheter sizes and primary operators. Angiographic quality was similar between the catheter sizes. Smaller catheters used in performing outpatient left-sided heart and coronary arteriography are not associated with cost savings but do not compromise angiographic quality.