The number and imaging volume of U.S. cardiac catheterization laboratories grew between 1997 and 1999, according to a survey by consulting and market research firm Technology Marketing Group.
The number of cath labs increased from 1,790 in 1997 to 1,820 in 1999. The number of rooms at those sites also grew, from 3,210 to 3,360. More than half of the cases handled by these sites were for diagnostic purposes only, according to TMG. Interventional-only procedures accounted for 15% of the total, while 24% were a combination of diagnostic and interventional studies. Electrophysiology and pacemaker procedures each accounted for 4%.
Nearly 90% of the catheterization procedures were conducted in hospitals with 200 or more beds, according to the Des Plaines, IL-based firm. Hospitals with more than 400 beds accounted for half of the total. TMG also reported that expenditures for catheters, stents, and related devices increased from $809 million to $1.35 billion between 1997 and 1999.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersApril 26, 2000
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