[Heart transplantation and long-term lvad support cost-effectiveness model]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Health Economics
• Medical Technology Assessment

Background:

• Heart transplantation is a critical area at Semmelweis University, necessitating efficient funding strategies.
• Mechanical circulatory support is an increasingly important consideration alongside traditional transplantation.
• Evaluating the economic viability of different cardiac support options is crucial for resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a framework for comparing the cost-effectiveness of heart transplantation versus artificial heart implantation.
• To provide a model for analyzing the financial implications of advanced cardiac support technologies.
• To support strategic decision-making in healthcare resource allocation for cardiac procedures.

Main Methods:

• Utilized direct allocation for cost calculation.
• Incorporated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICR) for comparative analysis.
• Developed a cost-effectiveness plane to visualize the economic trade-offs.

Main Results:

• The framework allows for detailed comparison of initial, perioperative, and postoperative expenses for both heart transplantation and artificial heart groups.
• The model facilitates the assessment of cost-effectiveness across different phases of cardiac support.
• The developed methodology provides a structured approach to economic evaluation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework offers a robust method for comparing the cost-effectiveness of heart transplantation and artificial hearts.
• This tool can support long-term follow-up and strategic financial planning in cardiac care.
• Further patient data integration can enhance the accuracy of cost-effectiveness analyses and decision support.