Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: September 26, 2018
Clinical and economic burden associated with cardiovascular events among patients with hyperlipidemia: a
Kathleen M Fox1,2, Li Wang3, Shravanthi R Gandra4
1Strategic Healthcare Solutions, LLC, Monkton, MD, USA. kathyfox@gforcecable.com.
Insights
High cardiovascular disease costs persist for hyperlipidemic patients after a new cardiovascular event (CVE). Healthcare utilization and economic burden remain elevated for up to three years post-event across all risk groups.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Health Economics
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CV) incur substantial costs in the US, with high-risk patients facing ongoing risks.
- Hyperlipidemia is a significant risk factor for major cardiovascular events (CVE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the direct clinical and economic burden of new CVE in hyperlipidemic patients.
- To analyze healthcare resource utilization and costs up to 3 years post-event.
Main Methods:
- Utilized IMS LifeLink PharMetrics Plus data (2006-2012) for hyperlipidemic patients with new CVE.
- Stratified patients by CV risk and used propensity score matching for comparison.
- Analyzed costs and resource utilization from acute phase through 3 years post-CVE.
Main Results:
- Myocardial infarction was the most frequent CVE across risk cohorts.
- Acute phase incremental costs ranged from $25,666-$30,321, with 4.4-6.2 additional inpatient days.
- Significant incremental costs persisted through years 2 and 3 post-CVE.
Conclusions:
- Hyperlipidemic patients with new CVE experienced higher healthcare utilization and costs acutely.
- Elevated healthcare utilization and costs persisted for up to 3 years post-event across all risk levels.
Background:
Annual direct costs for cardiovascular (CV) diseases in the United States are approximately $195.6 billion, with many high-risk patients remaining at risk for major cardiovascular events (CVE). This study evaluated the direct clinical and economic burden associated with new CVE up to 3 years post-event among patients with hyperlipidemia.
Methods:
Hyperlipidemic patients with a primary inpatient claim for new CVE (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous coronary intervention and heart failure) were identified using IMS LifeLink PharMetrics Plus data from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2012. Patients were stratified by CV risk into history of CVE, modified coronary heart disease risk equivalent, moderate- and low-risk cohorts. Of the eligible patients, propensity score matched 243,640 patients with or without new CVE were included to compare healthcare resource utilization and direct costs ranging from the acute (1-month) phase through 3 years post-CVE date (follow-up period).
Results:
Myocardial infarction was the most common CVE in all the risk cohorts. During the acute phase, among patients with new CVE, the average incremental inpatient length of stay and incremental costs ranged from 4.4-6.2 days and $25,666-$30,321, respectively. Acute-phase incremental costs accounted for 61-75% of first-year costs, but incremental costs also remained high during years 2 and 3 post-CVE.
Conclusions:
Among hyperlipidemic patients with new CVE, healthcare utilization and costs incurred were significantly higher than for those without CVE during the acute phase, and remained higher up to 3 years post-event, across all risk cohorts.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements