Economic impact of preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy in high-risk coronary patients

Background. The efficacy of preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy i n high-risk coronary patients has been demonstrated earlier. Methods. This study investigates the economic aspect by a detailed cost ana lysis of pooled information from two previously published randomized studie s and 144 consecutive low-risk coronary artery bypass graft operations. Cos ts for patients receiving preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy bef ore aortic cross-clamping (n = 62) were compared to those in a control grou p (n = 50). Detailed cost analysis was based on data provided by the hospit al finance department. Results. The total hospital costs were as follows: low-risk coronary artery bypass graft operations cost 35,335 +/- 1,694 Swiss francs ($23,400 +/- $1 ,121); high-risk coronary artery bypass graft without preoperative intraaor tic balloon pump therapy cost 65,892 +/- 31,719 Swiss francs ($43,637 +/- $ 21,006); and high risk coronary artery bypass graft with preoperative intra aortic balloon pump therapy cost 41,948 +/- 10,379 Swiss francs ($27,780 +/ - $6,874) (p 0.0015). There were no significant differences in average cost among the preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy subgroups. Conclusions. Preoperative intraaortic balloon pump therapy in high risk cor onary patients is significantly cost-beneficial, With an average saving of 24,000 Swiss francs ($16,000) on the total hospital cost, a 36% cost reduct ion. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.