[Costs caused by bleeds within the therapy of acute coronary syndromes in Germany]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Health Economics
• Pharmacoeconomics

Context:

• Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients often require antithrombotic or antiplatelet therapy, increasing the risk of bleeding complications.
• Bleeding events in ACS patients are common, yet detailed information on associated resource utilization and costs is limited.
• This study addresses the need for precise cost data to inform clinical and economic decision-making in ACS patient care.

Purpose:

• To estimate the resource utilization and associated costs for managing various types of bleeds in hospitalized patients with ACS.
• To provide specific cost data for different bleed categories, including intracranial hemorrhage, retroperitoneal hemorrhage, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hemoglobin decrease, puncture site bleeds, and transfusions.
• To support analyses of therapeutic strategies for ACS patients by offering a clear understanding of bleed-related expenses.

Summary:

• A retrospective chart review of 59 German ACS patients who experienced bleeds during hospitalization was conducted.
• The average cost per patient for managing bleeds was 1,995 Euros.
• Specific average costs varied by bleed type, with transfusions (5,415 Euros) and gastrointestinal hemorrhage (3,616 Euros) being the most costly.

Impact:

• The findings provide essential economic data for healthcare providers and policymakers in Germany, where hospitals are reimbursed based on case severity and diagnosis.
• Understanding the full financial impact of managing ACS patients and associated bleeds can aid in optimizing treatment protocols and resource allocation.
• This research contributes to the pharmacoeconomic evaluation of antithrombotic therapies in ACS by quantifying the economic burden of bleeding complications.