| Theme |
Current Topics in Hemodialysis Vascular Access |
| Title |
Evaluation of vascular access economics |
| Author |
Yoshiaki Takemoto |
Department of Urology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author |
Kenji Tsuchida |
Department of Urology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author |
Rikio Yoshimura |
Department of Urology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
The reimbursement cost for artificial graft transplantation, percutaneous transluminal angio plasty (PTA) and embolectomy has doubled over the past 15 years. On the other hand, the reimbursement costs for internal shunt plasty have increased 150 %, which is relatively low compaired to other methods. The number of doctors performing vascular access procedures in Japan is estimated to be 100,000 per year. The medical costs of vascular access are estimated to be around 18 billion yen. This is 1.5 % of the cost for total renal insufficiency medical treatment. Considering that vascular access is a life line for chronic renal failure patients, this expense is reasonable. However, the cost of materials for PTA is relatively high, so it must be reduced in the future. |