Reuse of coronary angioplasty equipment: Technical and clinical issues

The reuse of equipment for percutaneous coronary intervention is common in countries outside the United States. However, little is known about the risks or cost savings afforded by this practice. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that reusing balloon angioplasty catheters and related equipment is not associated with increased risk of particulate body embolization, infection, endotoxic reaction, or toxicity. However, the only prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial of catheter reuse suggests that this practice may be associated with a lower success rate in crossing lesions, longer procedure times, and higher complication rates. Cost-benefit modeling demonstrates that these factors potentially offset any cost savings afforded by catheter reuse.