Outpatient cardiac catheterization and arteriography: Twenty-month experience at the Arizona Heart Institute

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Interventional Radiology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Arteriography is crucial for diagnosing atherosclerotic occlusive disease but traditionally required hospitalization.
• The development of outpatient invasive procedures laboratories offers a new paradigm for cardiovascular diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of an outpatient invasive procedures laboratory.
• To assess patient acceptance and the potential for widespread implementation of outpatient catheterization and arteriography.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 254 cardiac catheterizations and 174 peripheral arteriograms performed over 20 months in an outpatient setting.
• Review of complication rates, patient outcomes, and economic impact.

Main Results:

• No deaths or major complications were recorded.
• Minor complications occurred in 11% of patients, including bleeding and allergic reactions.
• Two patients required cardioversion for arrhythmias, and 2% were hospitalized due to lesion complexity.

Conclusions:

• Outpatient catheterization and arteriography are technically sound, safe, and well-accepted by patients.
• These procedures offer a cost-effective alternative to inpatient diagnostics, with potential for broad-scale application.
• Careful patient selection based on indications and contraindications is essential for successful outpatient invasive procedures.