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Published on: February 28, 2012
The long-term cost-effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy with or without an implantable
Guiqing Yao1, Nick Freemantle, Melanie J Calvert
1Department of Primary Care and General Practice, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Insights
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-P) is cost-effective for heart failure patients. Adding an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (CRT-ICD) to CRT-P also offers long-term value, improving outcomes and survival benefits.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Economics
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Heart failure with cardiac dyssynchrony significantly impacts patient prognosis.
- Pharmacological therapy alone may not sufficiently manage moderate to severe symptoms.
- Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-P) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) offer potential benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cost-effectiveness of CRT-P versus medical therapy (MT) alone.
- To evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of CRT-ICD plus MT compared to CRT-P plus MT.
- To determine the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and life year gained.
Main Methods:
- A Markov model with Monte Carlo simulation was employed.
- Data from the CARE-HF trial informed patient characteristics and outcomes.
- The COMPANION trial data was used to estimate the survival benefit of ICDs.
- Lifetime simulations were conducted from a UK healthcare perspective.
Main Results:
- CRT-P demonstrated cost-effectiveness compared to MT alone, with an incremental cost of €7538 per QALY gained.
- The incremental cost-effectiveness of CRT-ICD compared to CRT-P was €47,909 per QALY gained.
- Both QALY and life year gained metrics supported the cost-effectiveness of CRT interventions.
Conclusions:
- Long-term CRT-P treatment is a cost-effective option for eligible heart failure patients.
- CRT-ICD offers potential cost-effectiveness compared to CRT-P, particularly considering long-term survival benefits.
- These findings support the integration of CRT devices in managing heart failure with dyssynchrony.
Aims:
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-P) is an effective treatment for patients with heart failure and cardiac dyssynchrony with moderate or severe symptoms despite pharmacological therapy. The addition of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) function may further reduce the risk of sudden death. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of CRT-P compared with medical therapy (MT) alone, and the cost-effectiveness of CRT-ICD + MT compared with CRT-P + MT, on incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) and life year using data from two landmark clinical trials.
Methods And Results:
A Markov model with Monte Carlo simulation to assess costs, life years, and QALYs associated with CRT (+/- ICD) and MT in patients with heart failure and cardiac dyssynchrony, on the basis of a UK healthcare perspective was constructed. NYHA class distribution and transitions, associated health utilities, rates and cause of hospitalization and death were estimated from individual patient data from the CArdiac REsychronization in Heart Failure (CARE-HF trial). The estimated additional benefit on survival of an ICD was based on results from COMPANION. The base case analysis used 10 000 individual life-time simulations assuming a battery life of 6 years for CRT-P and 7 years for CRT-ICD. From a life-time perspective in a 65-year-old patient, the incremental cost-effectiveness of CRT-P compared with MT is 7538 euros (95% CI 5325-11,784 euros) per QALY gained and 7011euros (95% CI 5346-10,003 euros) per life year gained. The incremental cost-effectiveness of CRT-ICD compared with CRT-P is 47,909 euros (95% CI 35,703-79,438 euros) per QALY gained, and 35,864 euros (95% CI 26,709-56,353 euros) per life year gained.
Conclusion:
Long-term treatment with CRT-P appears cost-effective compared with MT alone. From a life-time perspective, assuming a reasonable life expectancy when receiving effective treatment for heart failure, CRT-ICD may also be considered cost-effective when compared with CRT-P + MT.
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