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Updated: May 6, 2026
Prehospital Thrombolysis: A Manual from Berlin
Published on: November 27, 2013
Cost-benefit analysis of thrombolytic therapy
C Herve1, D Castiel, M Gaillard
1CHU Necker, Paris, France.
Insights
Thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction patients is more expensive but offers significant long-term benefits. This treatment reduces rehospitalization time, leading to positive monetary returns within one year.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) management involves evaluating new treatments.
- Cost-benefit analysis is crucial for assessing therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a cost-benefit analysis of thrombolytic therapy versus classical treatment for myocardial infarction patients.
- To evaluate the economic impact and patient outcomes over a one-year period.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 162 myocardial infarction patients was studied.
- 62 patients received thrombolytic treatment, while 100 received classical therapy.
- Patients were followed for one year with cost-induced disease questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Thrombolysis incurred higher initial costs (£10,550 vs £8,998) and a 2-day longer hospital stay.
- However, thrombolysis reduced rehospitalization by 10.3 days.
- Monetary benefits became positive by year-end, with a cost-benefit ratio of approximately 0.7.
Conclusions:
- Thrombolytic therapy requires an investment of £150 per day of reduced rehospitalization.
- Despite higher upfront costs, thrombolysis yields substantial monetary benefits and improved outcomes within one year.
- The study supports the long-term economic viability of thrombolytic treatment for myocardial infarction.
Abstract:
Thrombolysis is a new treatment for myocardial infarct patients, 162 such patients were studied: 62 received thrombolytic treatment and 100 a classical therapy. For cost-benefit analysis, all patients were followed for at least 1 year and received an identical questionnaire to assess the costs induced by this disease. At 1 year, 10% had died in the two groups. Patients who received thrombolytic treatment had a hospital stay 2 days longer, on average, but were readmitted for shorter periods (10.3 days less). Thrombolysis was more expensive (10,550 pounds vs 8998 pounds). Therefore, it is necessary to invest 150 pounds to reduce rehospitalization time by 1 day. Benefits were almost 31% greater for thrombolysis patients and the cost-benefit ratio was about 0.7. Thus the monetary benefits, initially rather negative, became positive at the end of the first year.
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