[Influence of DPC on cardiovascular surgery].

After a new medical expense system "DPC (Diagnosis Procedure Combination)" had been introduced in 2003, the change in the medical treatment fee was evaluated according to each cardiovascular surgical field. Application of the DPC is limited to hospitalization fee in the general ward by a fixed daily amount The former payment system remains for operation, anesthesia, and some invasive examinations such as cardiac catheterization, therefore, the influence of the DPC introduction on cardiovascular surgery was minimum. A lot of problems are still left, however, for the classification of diagnosis, especially in a congenital heart disease, and the fee setting of intensive care. It is required also to reconsider serious cases, advanced complications and methods of life support. In the field of cardiovacular surgery, the treatment is so risky and so expensive, that more detailed analysis should be necessary by establishment of data base system.