Day case cardiac catheterisation using the Sones technique.

Cardiac catheterisation using the Sones technique was planned as a day case procedure in 855 of 1662 consecutive patients admitted for cardiac catheterisation. Of these, 810 (95%) were discharged the same day. Forty-five (5%) needed overnight hospitalization, 34 for reasons connected with the procedure and 11 for other reasons. No serious complications occurred and there were no deaths. The cost of day stay was approximately half that incurred using overnight stay. Thus, cardiac catheterisation using the Sones technique on a day case basis is safe and may produce significant cost efficiency.