OBJECTIVES : The present study was undertaken to examine the additional economic burden associated with the complications of coronary artery disease(CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD), in the wake of increasing financial burden based on the direct costs posed by these complications from the reimbursement institution perspective.

METHODS : The research followed a quantitative design, wherein 5 experts from the field were administered the questionnaire, to gain insight into the costs borne by the patients suffering from the complications of CAD or PAD. The study included investigations for acute limb ischemia, minor amputation, major amputation, pulmonary embolus and deep vein thrombosis. The questionnaire was based on ESC guidelines. The total costs included the costs for diagnosis, maintenance, and non-medicine and medicine costs.

RESULTS : The study results showed that deep vein thrombosis was the lowest cost complication (292 Turkish Lira (TL)) followed by minor amputation (514 TL), pulmonary embolism (1463.94 TL), acute limb ischemia (2215.57 TL) and major amputatioin (5844.70 TL).

CONCLUSIONS : The study results provide insight into the most prominent complications associated with CAD or PAD from the perspective of reimbursement institution including only direct medical costs. Further studies are needed to understand the real cost for reimbursement institution.