Unemployment and deprivation are associated with a poorer outcome following percutaneous coronary angioplasty.

This prospective observational study aimed to assess the impact of employment status and deprivation on quality of life 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients completed a questionnaire at baseline and at 1 year follow-up including a health utility score (EQ-5D), symptoms and employment status. Deprivation was assessed using the Carstairs' deprivation category based on area postcodes.

Influence of socioeconomic status on clinical outcomes and quality of life after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: To determine whether socioeconomic status (SES) influences clinical outcomes and quality of life after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Two interventional cardiac centres.

Effects of changing clinical practice on costs and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention between 1998 and 2002.

Aim: To assess the effect of changing clinical practice on the costs and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 1998 and 2002.

Setting: Two tertiary interventional centres.

Patients: Consecutive patients undergoing PCI over a 12-month period between 1998 and 2002.

Variations in clinical decision-making between cardiologists and cardiac surgeons; a case for management by multidisciplinary teams?

Objective: To assess variations in decisions to revascularise patients with coronary heart disease between general cardiologists, interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons

Design: Six cases of coronary heart disease were presented at an open meeting in a standard format including clinical details which might influence the decision to revascularise. Clinicians (n = 53) were then asked to vote using an anonymous electronic system for one of 5 treatment options: medical, surgical (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or initially medical proceeding to revascularisation if symptoms dictated. Each case was then discussed in an open forum following which clinicians were asked to revote.

Comparing performance between coronary intervention centres requires detailed case-mix adjusted analysis.

This study compares 12 month clinical outcomes and procedural costs at two interventional centres with significant differences in crude mortality and revascularization outcomes between 1997 and 1998. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry data on 1046 consecutive patients treated contemporaneously at two university centres were linked to hospital discharge and death data to provide 12 month follow-up information on survival and repeat revascularization. Costs were determined by detailed analysis of equipment use, length of stay and staff from 100 contemporary cases at each centre to derive a procedural cost model.