The use of digital technology in the cardiac catheterization laboratory is
expanding at a rapid pace. The cost-effectiveness of this new technology is
yet to be proven. The aims of this study were to determine the direct cost
differences of digital versus analog media (CDs) for the storage of diagno
stic cardiac catheterizations and to explore the factors influencing these
differences. Procedural costs of all diagnostic angiograms (n = 109), from
three physicians, performed in an analog catheterization laboratory (room A
) and a digital catheterization laboratory (room C) were compared during a
g-month period. The mean procedural cost was higher in room A than in room
C ($1,102 vs. $1,087, P < 0.001). This cost difference was eliminated when
recording media costs were excluded from analysis ($1,079 vs. $1,080, P = 0
.931). Therefore, we conclude there is a procedural cost savings in a cardi
ac catheterization room that uses digital CDs versus cineangiogram film as
the archival media. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.