[Diagnostic hemodynamics in day-hospital care]

Our initial experience with 180 consecutive cases of transfemoral cardiac catheterization in ambulatory patients is presented. It accounts for 21% of 864 diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedures in our laboratory in the first 12 months of activity. There were no complications. Patient satisfaction was high, and a substantial reduction of unnecessary overnight admissions in the cardiology ward could be achieved. This confirms the safety and the advantages of this practice. Implications for the organization of the Catheterization Laboratory are also discussed, as well as possible causes for the sofar limited use of ambulatory cardiac catheterization in our country.