Comparison of costs of intracardiac echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography in monitoring percutaneous device closure of atrial septal defect in children and adults

The cost of percutoneous device closure of atrial septal defect in children and adults using the Amplatzer Septal Occluder under intracardiac echocardiographic guidance was compared with that of transesophageal echocardiographic guidance. Hospital and physician charges incurred by 20 patients who had intracardiac echocardiographic guidance and 20 patients who had transesophageal echocardiographic guidance during atrial septal defect closure were compared. (C) 2004 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.