With a harsh statement, the Argentine College of Interventional Cardioangiologists (CACI) warned that the sector is going through a severe crisis that endangers the care of vital procedures such as the placement of stents and the realization of angioplasties which, in many cases, could no longer be carried out.
The combo that affects the activity is due to the combination of the exponential increase in cost of medical equipment and supplies, already systematic reduction of professional fees, which has already begun to have an impact on the delay and rescheduling of interventions and compromised the cardiovascular health of patients.
“The exponential increase in the cost of equipment and medical supplies, the systematic reduction of professional fees are already showing undesirable consequences, such as the rescheduling of practices and the delay in carrying them out, extending them for long months, which evidently puts “the patient’s health is at risk. If a solution is not found in the medium term, all activity will be paralyzed, generating an incalculable impact on the health of the population throughout Argentina,” the statement said. .
Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in Argentina. According to the latest statistical report from the National Ministry of Health, in 2021, 107,403 deaths were recorded in our country due to diseases of the circulatory system, including hypertensive, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases, atherosclerosis. and other diseases of the heart and circulatory system. And one of the main factors of death in the world.
“To give just two examples of the importance of the procedures performed by these specialists, coronary angioplasties with the use of stents performed early are the most effective treatment to reduce mortality from myocardial infarction and catheter treatment of Stroke performed in first hours of the onset of symptoms manages to reduce not only mortality but also the degree of disability that may remain afterward,” the professionals expressed.
The entity highlighted that “the cost of equipment and supplies has increased exponentially – between 300 and 500% -; these increases have not been reflected in the healthcare centers where these procedures are performed and that the Social Works and Private Medicine Systems pay”. He also highlighted the salary difference that exists compared to other countries, which causes many professionals to emigrate.
Juan José Fernández, interventional cardioangiologist and president of the CACI, highlighted that “emergency care is in crisis, whether due to coronary infarctions or other cardiological and cerebrovascular conditions. Specialists, instead of concentrating on carrying out the procedure, have to be attentive to obtaining the minimum supplies necessary for its performance and, many times, work in very precarious conditions.”
Alejandro Palacios, former president of the entity, added that “this entire situation clearly illustrates that “medicine is neglected, and not by the doctors themselves, who make superhuman efforts – often working without the minimum necessary resources – but by the system itself and by the authorities who must ensure that they provide quality service to the population. According to data from the Word Heart Federation, cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the highest number of deaths worldwide; more than 23 million people died from this cause in 2023. Between 600 and 1,000 million people in the world suffer from high blood pressure. One billion people smoke. “All of them are considered preponderant risk factors”
For his part, the prominent interventional cardiologist Rubén Kervorkian warned that “cardiovascular diseases are also the main cause of death in Argentina. According to the latest Vital Statistics report from the Directorate of Health Statistics and Information (DEIS) of the Ministry of Health of the Nation, in 2022, 110,062 deaths were recorded in our country due to diseases of the circulatory system, including hypertensive diseases. , ischemic heart disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases, atherosclerosis and other diseases of the heart and circulatory system.”
Fifty years ago, the only resource to treat infarction and vascular obstructions when the first steps were being taken was coronary bypass. Today, cardioangiology has the possibility of performing minimally invasive revascularization procedures such as angioplasty, which allow the patient to return home the same day or after a night of hospitalization, and resume their usual tasks in less than a week.
“No one wants to risk or lose money. Importers withhold supplies, social and prepaid works delay authorizations and pay for practices in extended terms affected by inflation, health authorities do not take action on the matter and clinics and hospitals end up being involuntary witnesses of a problem that directly affects care. scheduled and emergencies. Ultimately, we doctors are the ones who must stand up to the patient and try to solve his health problem with the few means we have at our disposal,” Palacios concluded.
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