Safety and Cost-Effectiveness of Same-Day Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation improve morbidity and mortality in selected patients. Many centers still admit patients overnight. We evaluated the safety, feasibility, and cost savings of same-day CRT/ICD device implantation by performing a retrospective study of all consecutive elective CRT/ICD implants at a tertiary center from January 2009 to April 2013. All emergency and/or inpatient cases were excluded. Data were collected on baseline demographics, implantation indication, procedure details, complications (categorized as immediate [≤24 hours], short term [24 hours to 6 weeks], medium term [6 weeks to 4 months], and long term [>4 months]), and mortality (30 day and 1 year). Comparisons were made between those having planned same-day versus overnight stay procedures. A cost analysis was performed to evaluate cost savings of the same-day policy. A total of 491 devices were implanted during this period: 267 were elective (54 planned overnight, 213 planned same-day) of which 229 were CRT pacemakers or CRT defibrillators and 38 ICDs. There were 26 total overall complications (9.7%) with no significant differences between planned same-day versus planned overnight stay cohorts (9.4% vs 11.1%, p = 0.8) and specifically no differences in immediate, short-, medium-, and long-term complications at follow-up. The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates did not differ between the two groups. An overnight stay at our hospital costs $450 (£300); our cost saving during this period was $91,800 (£61,200). Same-day CRT/ICD implantation is safe, feasible, and associated with significant cost savings. It provides significant advantages for patients and health care providers, especially given the current financial climate.

Same-day cardiac catheter ablation is safe and cost-effective: Experience from a UK tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation is a curative intervention for common arrhythmias such as supraventricular tachycardia and atrial flutter. Many centers still admit patients overnight after this procedure. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the safety and cost-effectiveness of same-day standard catheter ablation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all consecutive elective same-day procedures performed between 2010 and 2014. Data were collected on baseline parameters, procedure details and success, postoperative complications, unplanned overnight hospital admissions, and clinical outcome (including mortality) at 4-month follow-up. A cost analysis of potential savings was also performed. RESULTS: A total of 1142 patients underwent planned same-day electrophysiological study with or without ablation. Radiofrequency ablation was performed in 897 of these patients (mean age ± standard error 56 ± 0.6 years, range 16-95 years, 467 males), with 921 arrhythmias ablated and with complete procedural success in 883 cases (96%). There were 92 unplanned admissions (10.3%): 50 for concealed pathways that required transseptal puncture, 19 for immediate complications (including 9 femoral bleeds and 5 pacemakers for heart block), 12 admitted at the operator's discretion, and 11 for other clinical reasons. All had transthoracic echocardiography after the procedure, and none had significant pericardial effusion. At 4-month follow-up, there were 16 readmissions (1 deep vein thrombosis, 3 pericarditic chest pain, 2 femoral hematomas, 7 palpitations, and 3 others) and 1 death (unrelated to ablation). An overnight stay at our center costs $450 (£300); same-day ablation over this period saved our institution $365,000 (£240,000). CONCLUSION: Same-day standard catheter ablation is safe and cost-effective, with significant benefits for patients and health care providers. This is particularly important given the current financial climate.