The Trend to Outpatient Care: Ambulatory Cardiac Catheterization", Virginia Medical Monthly, Vol. 107, No. 9, pages 621-622, September 1980. Charles L. Baird, Jr., M. D.

The diagnosis and treatmen. of ischemic heart disease was revolutionized 20 years ago by the introduction of selective coronary ateriography, and since then the technique has so evolved that it now can be performed safely on an outpatient basis, reducing costs and inconvenience to the patient. Of 600 diagnostic coronary ateriograms reported by Judkins' in 1968, 40% were performed on an outpatient basis, and Schneider's reported in 1975 that 54.3% of all patients undergoing cardiac catheterization under his care were catheterized as outpatients.

This article reviews the outpatient cardiac catheterization program at the Virginia Heart Institute in Richmond since its inception in 1973.