The frequency and incremental cost of major complications among medicare beneficiaries receiving implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We aimed to quantify the frequency and nature of early complications after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation in general practice, and estimate the incremental costs of those complications to the health care system.

Background

Cardioverter-defibrillator implantation rates are rising quickly. Little has been published regarding the outcomes and costs of these procedures in unselected populations.

Methods

Using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) files, we identified 30,984 admissions containing procedure codes for new ICD or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator implantation in fiscal year 2003. The frequencies of eight complicating diagnoses during these admissions were determined. Length of stay (LOS) and total h

SUBMITTER: Reynolds MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1800827 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature