Objective

To determine the variability of the medical practice of the use of angioplasty and revascularization for the treatment of Coronary Ischemic Disease in health insurers.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective descriptive study of mixed ecological type of the registry of the rate of use of cardiovascular procedures, angioplasty and revascularization, used in the treatment of coronary ischemic disease. Regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed on five years of reports from various insurers.

Results

The mean age of procedures was 64.9 years, standard deviation of 11.3. The most widely used procedure was angioplasty (75.6%), and more procedures were performed in 2:1 men. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found in each age group for both procedures, and variations in at least two insurers. Univariate analysis by sex, variations in angioplasty use rates 40 to 49 years (p=0.017) and 50 to 59 years (p=0.036) and revascularization 30 to 39 years (p=0.036), 40 to 49 years (p=0.013), 50 to 59 years (p=0.002) 60 to 69 years (p<0.001).

Conclusions

There are variations in the rate of use for cardiovascular procedures in all age groups observed after 30 years in insurers, also in rate of use by sex, causes such as the hormonal protective factor and hormone replacement therapies are inferred without ruling out other unjustified causes of modification such as health education for women on detection of coronary ischemic disease, cultural, social and economic factors that limit the use of technologies.