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Published on: February 26, 2013
Economic aspects of transesophageal echocardiography and atrial fibrillation
E R Becker1, S D Culler, L J Shaw
1Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Room 626, Atlanta, GA 30345, USA.
Insights
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can guide atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment, offering a viable strategy for managing this common arrhythmia. Further economic analysis is needed to understand its full impact on cardiovascular disease costs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and significant economic burden in the US.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, particularly affecting individuals over 60.
- AF contributes substantially to the overall costs associated with cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current context for using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to guide AF management.
- To summarize existing literature on the economic aspects of TEE.
- To outline a framework for the economic analysis of TEE and other major clinical therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of TEE in AF management.
- Analysis of economic data related to TEE.
- Development of an economic analysis framework.
Main Results:
- TEE with short-term anticoagulation is a proposed strategy for guiding AF patients.
- Existing literature on the economic aspects of TEE is summarized.
- A framework for economic analysis of TEE and clinical therapies is proposed.
Conclusions:
- Evolving analytical tools can better assess the economic, clinical, and social impacts of medical encounters.
- TEE represents a potential strategy to manage AF and its associated costs.
- Further economic evaluations are crucial for understanding the value of TEE in cardiovascular care.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of complications and death in the United States, affecting nearly 60 million Americans in 1998 and costing an estimated $274.2 billion. A major contributor to the costs of cardiovascular disease is atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is the most common sustained arrhythmia and affects > 2.2 million people and approximately 5% of all persons over the age of 60. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with short-term anticoagulation has been proposed as a viable strategy to guide patients with AF. Here, we (1) review the current environmental context for a TEE-guided approach, (2) summarize the existing literature on the economic aspects of TEE, and (3) outline an economic framework for an economic analysis of TEE investigation or any major clinical therapy. We conclude that more powerful analytical tools are evolving to analyze the important economic, clinical, and social aspects of a patient's medical encounter.
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