Cost-Effectiveness of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography in Cardiac Valve Surgery

Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research

Rasoul Azarfarin¹  Bahman Naghipour¹  Eissa Bilehjani¹  Sohrab Negargar¹  Moussa Mirinazhad¹  Samad Golzari¹ 

关键词: Transesophageal Echocardiography;    Cardiac Surgery;    Valve Repair;    Cost-Effectiveness;   

DOI  :  10.5681/jcvtr.2011.017

学科分类：农业科学（综合）

来源: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: Being a unique diagnostic technique, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has influenced many different aspects of cardiac surgery including valve repair surgery. The cost-effectiveness of this method however is questioned considering the conditions of every region and country. In this study we aimed at answering the question if utilizing TEE throughout valve repair surgery could be cost-effective. Methods: Twenty four patients were studied within two groups of case “valve repair operation plus intra-operative TEE (IO-TEE)�? and control “valve replacement operation�?. Variables including age, gender, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), re-operation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, hospital stay and cost were studied and compared. Results: There was no significant difference regarding age, gender and LVEF between two groups (p=0.559, p=0.413, and p=0.408, respectively). ICU stay in repair group was less than replacement group (p=0.009). Hospital stay difference however was not statistically significant (p=0.928). The cost of valve repair under IO-TEE monitoring was significantly less than valve re-placement (p=0.001). Conclusions: IO-TEE not only would assist surgeons by increasing their interest toward valve repair operation instead of replacing impaired cardiac valves but also consequently decrease hospital costs. It is also advised for the cardiac anesthesiologists to use IO-TEE routinely in the valve repair operations provided that there are no contraindications.

【 授权许可】

Unknown