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Audit of cardiac catheterisation in a district general hospital: implications for training

L D Smith1, G Spyer, J W Dean

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK.

Heart (British Cardiac Society)
|April 23, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Diagnostic cardiac catheterisation in non-surgical hospitals is safe, with complication rates comparable to surgical centers. This study reviewed 2804 procedures, finding low rates of major complications and mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • Diagnostic cardiac catheterisation is a common procedure.
  • The safety of performing these procedures in non-surgical centers is a concern.
  • Assessing complication rates is crucial for patient safety and service provision.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and complication rates of diagnostic cardiac catheterisation performed at a district general hospital without on-site cardiac surgery.
  • To compare these rates with national and international data from surgical centers.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective analysis of a database of cardiac catheter procedures.
  • Review of 2804 diagnostic left heart catheterisations performed over three years.
  • Audit of patient outcomes and complication events.

Main Results:

  • The overall rate of major complications was 0.07%.
  • Mortality rate was 0.07%.
  • Arterial complication rates requiring surgical repair were 0.24% for brachial and 0.17% for femoral arteries, comparable to surgical centers.

Conclusions:

  • Diagnostic cardiac catheterisation services can be safely provided in non-surgical hospitals.
  • The findings support the safety of such services but raise questions about the optimal training pathways for specialist registrars in invasive cardiology within district general hospitals.
Abstract

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