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The cost-effectiveness of losartan versus captopril in patients with symptomatic heart failure

E J Dasbach1, M W Rich, R Segal

  • 1Merck & Co., Blue Bell, PA 19422, USA.

Cardiology
|October 12, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Losartan improved survival and tolerability in heart failure patients compared to captopril. This economic evaluation found losartan to be cost-effective, offering a favorable cost per year of life gained.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacoeconomics

Background:

  • Symptomatic heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) requires effective treatment.
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are standard HF therapy.
  • Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), offers an alternative for ACE inhibitor-naive patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct an economic evaluation of losartan versus captopril in patients with symptomatic heart failure.
  • To assess the cost-effectiveness of losartan based on the ELITE Study data.

Main Methods:

  • Economic evaluation using data from the Losartan Heart Failure ELITE Study.
  • Cost-effectiveness analysis estimating lifetime benefits and costs.
  • Comparison of losartan and captopril in ACE inhibitor-naive patients aged >/=65 years with symptomatic HF.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in hospitalizations, hospital days, or ER visits between losartan and captopril.
  • Losartan was estimated to cost USD 54 less per patient than captopril over the trial period.
  • Losartan increased projected lifetime survival by 0.20 years at an additional discounted cost of USD 769 per patient.

Conclusions:

  • Losartan demonstrated improved survival and tolerability compared to captopril in symptomatic heart failure patients.
  • The cost-effectiveness ratio for losartan was USD 4,047 per year of life gained.
  • Losartan represents a cost-effective treatment option for heart failure.

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