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The economic impact of dementia in Belgium: results of the National Dementia Economic Study (NADES).

OBJECTIVES: To estimate costs associated with dementia and its severity and to identify main cost determinants. DESIGN: One-year prospective cohort study. SETTING: 231 general practitioners (GPs) and 15 specialist clinics throughout Belgium. SUBJECTS: 605 patients aged > or = 65 years (219 referent patients, 218 demented patients at home and 168 demented patients in institution). OUTCOME MEASURES: Medical costs (visits to GPs/specialists, physiotherapy, hospitalisation, nursing, incontinence, medication) and non-medical costs (special equipment, services, professional help and caregiving). RESULTS: Total monthly costs amounted to 368.50 Euro dollar for referent patients, 445.56 Euro dollar for demented patients at home and 2301.7 Euro dollar for demented patients in institutions. Highest costs were measured in patients with severe dementia (556.88 Euro dollar at home, 2465.28 Euro dollar in institutions). In demented patients at home, 60% of costs were accounted for by the health system, with hospitalisation and medication being the main cost components (36% and 20%). In demented patients in institution, 46% of the costs were accounted for by the health system, with residential costs and nursing being the main cost components (42% and 32%). In multivariate covariance analysis, the main determinants of costs for demented patients at home were physical dependence and co-morbidity (neoplasm, cardiovascular disease). The adjusted difference between demented and referent patients was 25 Euro dollar per month. CONCLUSIONS: A large fraction of the costs observed in dementia is explained by the association of dementia with physical dependence, co-morbidity and need for caregiving. From an economic point of view, the results support the caring for patients at home.

Aged↗

An economic appraisal of carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin and valproate as initial treatment in adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy.

We undertook an economic appraisal of four drugs used in monotherapy during the first 2 years of treatment for newly diagnosed patients with epilepsy: carbamazepine (CBZ), lamotrigine (LTG), phenytoin (PHT), and valproate (VPA). We adopted the cost-minimization model because, although no single trial compares all four drugs directly, the clinical trials comparing two or more of these drugs in newly diagnosed cases show no significant difference in efficacy between the drugs in terms of seizure frequency. Considered in the cost analyses were frequency of side effects, retention rates, medical consultations, inpatient and accident and emergency costs, laboratory investigations, and drug changes. A Delphi panel provided the treatment pathways, including frequency of clinical consultations, second-line monotherapy, and side-effects management. A sensitivity analysis was performed, varying the assumptions on which the calculations were based. Analysis was completed for a prospective, intention-to-treat perspective and also for those patients continuing the initial drug. The direct medical costs of 2-years therapy (intention-to-treat analysis) calculated for each trial were pound sterling 795-829 for CBZ, pound sterling 1,525-2,076 for LTG, pound sterling 736-768 for PHT, and pound sterling 868-884 for VPA. A sensitivity analysis provided similar relative estimates. We found that LTG for newly diagnosed patients is significantly more expensive in direct health service costs incurred. This analysis incorporated seizure control, side effects, and tolerability. We recommend that a similar type of analysis be considered as part of all clinical trials of antiepileptic drugs in which efficacy of outcome is similar as a guide to assess optimal cost effectiveness.

Adult↗

Cost-benefit analysis of a strategy to vaccinate healthy working adults against influenza.

BACKGROUND: Influenza is a major cause of illness, disruption to daily life, and work absenteeism among healthy working adults aged between 18 and 64 years. This group is not included among the traditional priority groups for annual vaccination. Immunization rates remain low. OBJECTIVE: To assess the economic implications of a strategy for annual vaccination of this group. METHODS: Using the societal perspective, this cost-benefit analysis included the direct and indirect costs associated with vaccination as well as the direct and indirect costs prevented by vaccination. Clinical and economic variable estimates were derived primarily from the published literature. For this model, it was assumed that vaccination occurred in efficient, low-cost settings such as at the work site. Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate the mean net costs or savings along with the 95% probability interval, and sensitivity analyses explored the sensitivity of the cost model to different values of the input variables. RESULTS: Vaccinating healthy working adults was on average cost saving, with mean savings of $13.66 per person vaccinated (95% probability interval: net savings of $32.97 to net costs of $2.18), with vaccination generating net savings 95% of the time. The model was most sensitive to the influenza illness rate, the work absenteeism rate due to influenza, and hourly wages. In the worst-case scenario vaccination was not cost saving. Vaccination also generated net costs to society during years with a poor vaccine-circulating virus strain match. In all of the other sensitivity analysis scenarios, vaccination was cost saving. CONCLUSION: Influenza vaccination of healthy working adults on average is cost saving. These findings support a strategy of routine, annual vaccination for this group, especially when vaccination occurs in efficient and low-cost sites.

Adult↗

The economic consequences of irritable bowel syndrome: a US employer perspective.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to measure the direct costs of treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the indirect costs in the workplace. This was accomplished through retrospective analysis of administrative claims data from a national Fortune 100 manufacturer, which includes all medical, pharmaceutical, and disability claims for the company's employees, spouses/dependents, and retirees. METHODS: Patients with IBS were identified as individuals, aged 18 to 64 years, who received a primary code for IBS or a secondary code for IBS and a primary code for constipation or abdominal pain between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 1998. Of these patients with IBS, 93.7% were matched based on age, sex, employment status, and ZIP code to a control population of beneficiaries. Direct and indirect costs for patients with IBS were compared with those of matched controls. RESULTS: The average total cost (direct plus indirect) per patient with IBS was 4527 dollars in 1998 compared with 3276 dollars for a control beneficiary (P<.001). The average physician visit costs were 524 dollars and 345 dollars for patients with IBS and controls, respectively (P<.001). The average outpatient care costs to the employer were 1258 dollars and 742 dollars for patients with IBS and controls, respectively (P<.001). Medically related work absenteeism cost the employer 901 dollars on average per employee treated for IBS compared with 528 dollars on average per employee without IBS (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Irritable bowel syndrome is a significant financial burden on the employer that arises from an increase in direct and indirect costs compared with the control group.

Absenteeism↗

The economic impact of chronic prostatitis.

BACKGROUND: Little information exists on the economic impact of chronic prostatitis. The objective of this study was to determine the direct and indirect costs associated with chronic prostatitis. METHODS: Outcomes were assessed using a questionnaire designed to capture health care resource utilization. Resource estimates were converted into unit costs with direct medical cost estimates based on hospital cost-accounting data and indirect costs based on modified labor force, employment, and earnings data from the US Census Bureau. RESULTS: The total direct costs for the 3 months prior to entry into the cohort, excluding hospitalization, were $126 915 for the 167 study participants for an average of $954 per person among the 133 consumers. Of the men, 26% reported work loss valued at an average of $551. The average total costs (direct and indirect) for the 3 months was $1099 per person for those 137 men who had resource consumption with an expected annual total cost per person of $4397. For those study participants with any incurred costs, tests for association revealed that the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (P<.001) and each of the 3 subcategories of pain (P =.003), urinary function (P =.03), and quality-of-life (P =.002) were significantly associated with resource use, although the quality-of-life subscale score from the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index was the only predictor of resource consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic prostatitis is associated with substantial costs and lower quality-of-life scores, which predicted resource consumption. The economic impact of chronic prostatitis warrants increased medical attention and resources to identify and test effective treatment strategies.

Absenteeism↗

Economic evaluation of the 7-vaccine routine childhood immunization schedule in the United States, 2001.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the economic impact of the routine US childhood immunization schedule: diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis; tetanus and diphtheria toxoids; Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate; inactivated poliovirus; measles, mumps, and rubella; hepatitis B; and varicella vaccines. DESIGN: Decision tree-based analysis was conducted using population-based vaccination coverage, published vaccine efficacies, historical data on disease incidence before vaccination, and disease incidence reported for 1995-2001. Costs were estimated using the direct cost and societal (direct and indirect costs) perspectives. Program costs included vaccine, administration, vaccine-associated adverse events, and parent travel and time lost. All costs were inflated to 2001 US dollars, and all costs and benefits in the future were discounted at a 3% annual rate. PARTICIPANTS: A hypothetical 2001 US birth cohort of 3,803,295 infants was followed up from birth through death. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Net present value (net savings) and benefit-cost ratios of routine immunization. RESULTS: Routine childhood immunization with the 7 vaccines was cost saving from the direct cost and societal perspectives, with net savings of 9.9 billion dollars and 43.3 billion dollars, respectively. Without routine vaccination, direct and societal costs of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, H influenzae type b, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, hepatitis B, and varicella would be 12.3 billion dollars and 46.6 billion dollars, respectively. Direct and societal costs for the vaccination program were an estimated 2.3 billion dollars and 2.8 billion dollars, respectively. Direct and societal benefit-cost ratios for routine childhood vaccination were 5.3 and 16.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: Regardless of the perspective, the current routine childhood immunization schedule results in substantial cost savings.

Chickenpox↗

Assessing cost-effectiveness analyses in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Economic considerations are now a source of great concern to clinicians and policy analysts. Many cost-effectiveness analyses have been published in the area of arthritis, most with substantial methodologic deficiencies. The goal of this article is to outline a method for evaluating cost-effectiveness assessment within the field of rheumatology. We do so by critically evaluating 6 cost-effectiveness analyses--2 in rheumatoid arthritis and 4 in osteoarthritis--as a basis for appraising the literature and developing future studies.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

A general model of the impact of absenteeism on employers and employees.

Most studies on the indirect costs of an illness and the cost effectiveness of a medical intervention or employer-sponsored wellness program assume that the value of reducing the number of days employees miss from work due to illness is the wage rate. This paper presents a general model to examine the magnitude and incidence of costs associated with absenteeism under alternative assumptions regarding the size of the firm, the production function, the nature of the firm's product, and the competitiveness of the labor market. We conclude that the cost of lost work time can be substantially higher than the wage when perfect substitutes are not available to replace absent workers and there is team production or a penalty associated with not meeting an output target. In the long run, workers are likely to bear much of the incidence of the costs associated with absenteeism, and therefore be the likely beneficiaries of any reduction in absenteeism.

Absenteeism↗

The economic impact of esophageal variceal hemorrhage: cost-effectiveness implications of endoscopic therapy.

Esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) is a serious and expensive sequela of chronic liver disease, leading to increased utilization of resources. Today, endoscopic sclerotherapy (ES) and endoscopic ligation (EL) are the accepted, community standards of endoscopic treatment of patients with EVH. However, there are no published studies comparing the economic costs of treating EVH using these interventions. As part of a prospective, randomized trial comparing ES and EL for the treatment of EVH, we estimated the direct costs of health care utilization and cost-effectiveness for the prevention of variceal rebleeding and patient survival at 1-year follow-up. Treatment groups were similar in incidence of variceal rebleeding (41.9% vs. 42.9%), variceal obliteration (41.9% vs. 40.0%), hospital days, blood transfusions, shunt requirements, and survival (71.0% vs. 60.0%). There were significantly more treatment failures for active bleeding using EL (42% vs. 0%; P =.027) and esophageal stricture formation in the ES-treated patients (19.4% vs. 2.9%; P = 0.03). Median total direct cost outcomes were similar between groups (EL = $9,696 and ES = $13,197; P =.46). EL and ES had similar cost/variceal rebleeding prevented ($28,678 vs. $29,093) and cost/survival ($27,313 vs. $23,804). In the subgroup of active bleeders, ES had a substantially lower cost/survival ($28,523 vs. $51,696). We conclude that resource utilization was similar between treatment groups and that the choice of endoscopic therapy for EVH must still rely on clinical grounds. Further studies comparing costs and resource utilization in this patient population are needed.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

Computed tomography vs clinical and multidisciplinary procedures for early evaluation of severe abdomen and chest trauma--a cost analysis approach.

OBJECTIVE: To compare contrast computed tomography (CT) for evaluating abdominal and vascular chest injuries after emergency room resuscitation with multidisciplinary management based on bedside procedure (BP), e.g., peritoneal lavage, abdomen ultrasonography urography and, if indicated, CT and/or aortography or transesophageal echocardiography. DESIGN: Randomized study. SETTING: Emergency, critical care and radiology departments in a trauma center. PATIENTS: The study was performed in 103 severe blunt trauma patients with a revised trauma index < 8, admitted over a 16 month period and divided into group (G1, n = 52, CT management) and group 2 (G2, n = 51, BP management). INTERVENTIONS: A relative direct cost scale used in our trauma center was applied, and cost units (U) were assigned to each diagnostic test for cost-minimization analysis (abdomen ultrasonograph = 7.5 U, peritoneal lavage = 8 U, urography = 9 U, computed tomography = 9 U, transesophageal echocardiography = 13.5 U, and aortography = 15 U). One unit is approximately equivalent to $43.7. RESULTS: Injury severity score (ISS) was 31.7 +/- 15.4 in G1 and 33.8 +/- 18.3 in G2. Sensitivity for CT was 90.4% (G1) vs 72.5% for BP (G2) in abdomen (P < 0.01) and 60% in chest for evaluating mediastinal hematoma etiology (G1). As Table 2 shows, G1 needed 59 tests for evaluating injuries (1.1 +/- 0.3 tests patient) while G2 required 81 tests (1.68 +/- 0.8 tests/patient) (P < 0.01). The total relative cost was 538 U for G1, 7.04 +/- 2.2 U cost/injury and 10.3 +/- 3.3 U/evaluation of trauma vs 698 U for G2, 9.84 +/- 5.03 U cost/injury and 13.68 +/- 8.5 U/evaluation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This cost-minimization study suggests that CT is a more cost-effective method for the post-emergency room resuscitation evaluation of severe abdominal blunt trauma than the multidisciplinary BP. Chest CT is a screening method for mediastinal hematoma but not for etiology.

Abdominal Injuries↗

A retrospective claims analysis of the direct costs of stress urinary incontinence.

The aim of this study was to evaluate direct expenditures associated with urinary incontinence and overall medical expenditures incurred by women diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The study design was a retrospective analysis of administrative claims data. We identified women with a diagnosis of SUI and no stress, urge or mixed urinary incontinence in the preceding 12 months using the MarketScan 1996-1999 databases. Total expenditures, as well as urinary incontinence-related expenditures, were summarized during the 12 months before and after the initial SUI diagnosis. We also compared expenditures for SUI patients receiving surgical treatment to expenditures for those who did not. There were 8126 patients who met the eligibility criteria. Total healthcare expenditures in the year prior to the initial SUI diagnosis were approximately half of those in the year following the initial diagnosis ($4478 vs $9147). For the subset of patients treated with surgery there was a threefold increase ($4575 vs $14129) in costs. A sensitivity analysis in patients with no comorbid urinary diagnoses found somewhat lower costs but a similar rate of increase in costs between the pre-period and the study period ($3884 vs $7075). Among women with no comorbid urinary diagnoses, approximately 11% ($769; SD $1180) of total mean regression-adjusted annual expenditures ($6892; SD $5067) was attributable to UI. Predicted total expenditures for surgery patients without comorbid urinary diagnoses were $13 212 (SD $7967), 28% of which ($3640;SD $681) were for UI-related costs. We concluded that after diagnosis, annual expenditures for patients were roughly twice those in the year prior to diagnosis. Multivariate analysis suggests that in the year after SUI diagnosis, UI treatment costs represented approximately 10% of total expenditures for all SUI patients, and 26%-28% of total expenditures for the subset of surgically treated patients.

Comorbidity↗

Botulinum toxin injection versus laparoscopic myotomy for the treatment of esophageal achalasia: economic analysis of a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of esophageal achalasia is still controversial: current therapies are palliative and aim to relieve dysphagia by disrupting or relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter muscle fibers with botulinum toxin. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and economic results of two such treatments: laparoscopic myotomy and botulinum toxin injection. METHODS: A total of 37 patients with esophageal achalasia were randomly assigned to receive laparoscopic myotomy (20) or two Botox injections 1 month apart (17). All patients were treated at the same hospital and were part of a larger multicenter study. Symptom score, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and esophageal diameter at barium swallow were compared. The economic analysis was performed considering only the direct costs (cost per treatment and cost effectiveness, i.e., cost per patient healed). RESULTS: Mortality and morbidity were nil in both groups. The actuarial probability of being asymptomatic at 2 years was 90% for surgery and 34% for Botox (p < 0.05). The initial cost was lower for Botox (1,245 Euros) than for surgery (3,555 Euros), but when cost effectiveness at 2 years was considered, this difference nearly disappeared: Botox 3,364 Euros, surgery 3,950 Euros. CONCLUSION: Botox is still the least costly treatment, but the minimal difference in the longer term does not justify its use, given that surgery is a risk-free, definitive treatment.

Adult↗

Cost analysis of hospital treatment--two chemotherapic regimens for non-surgical non-small cell lung cancer. GFPC (Groupe Français Pneumo Cancérologie)

STUDY OBJECTIVES: compare the costs of two regimens of chemotherapy. Apply weighted costs to an economic model in a hospital perspective. DESIGN: prospective randomized study of two groups of patients receiving: branch B, mitomycin-navelbine-cisplatin (MNP); branch A, mitomycin-vindesine-cisplatin (MVP). SETTING: pneumologic units of University and non-University hospitals. METHODS: clinical evaluation during chemotherapy incorporated events enabling construction of an event tree. Direct hospital costs included those of: cytostatic agents, materials used and nursing time; costs of side-effects (medical and paramedical time, diagnostic and therapeutic examinations). Effectiveness was measured in terms of response rates. PATIENTS: 209 patients were included, 100 in arm B, 109 in arm A. RESULTS: the response rates were 25% in branch B, 17% in branch A. In the hypothesis of equivalence of the two strategies, we compared only overall mean cost per patient. Despite the fact arm B needed more hospital injections, the difference was low (+4.6%). For a difference in effectiveness, the opposite was observed for the average cost-effectiveness ratio: arm B was less costly (-12 339.40 FF for a responder). CONCLUSION: incorporation of economic parameters was found to have a bearing on the choice of chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Economic analyses of this kind can provide useful extra information for rational therapeutic decisions.

Adult↗

Economic value of gemcitabine compared to cisplatin and etoposide in non-small cell lung cancer.

Although chemotherapy costs have not been highlighted traditionally, there is increasing pressure to demonstrate the value of new treatments within the health care budget. Pharmaceutical companies are assessing the economic value of their products before launch. Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analogue developed for use in solid tumours. The purpose of this model was to investigate the clinical outcomes and potential cost savings for gemcitabine used as monotherapy compared to cisplatin and etoposide combination therapy in late stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in a palliative (as opposed to aggressive) chemotherapy setting. Gemcitabine treatment data were taken from a large NSCLC study and data from retrospective chart reviews identified through the National Oncology Data Base. The model population and effectiveness of the two regimens were judged to be similar, except for baseline performance status. If drug costs were not included, the probability distribution resulting from the simulation showed median cost savings per cycle ranging from $US 1504 to $US 7425, with a medium value of $US 2154. The model suggested that gemcitabine would result in cost savings per cycle more than 90% of the time. Outpatient versus inpatient drug administrations accounted for the majority of potential cost savings. Most of the remaining cost savings were attributable to the difference in febrile neutropenia and antiemetic use. This economic model showed susbstantial savings if gemcitabine was used instead of cisplatin and etoposide combination therapy in the United States' community care setting. Some savings would be realized even if the location of treatment for both regimens was mostly outpatient. Assessment of the product's economic value before launch has assisted in our understanding of the potential areas of cost savings for gemcitabine and has guided us in the design of prospective randomized studies which included pharmacoeconomic endpoints.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

The effects of cimetidine on the cost of ulcer disease in Sweden.

The economic impact of the drug cimetidine on the direct and indirect costs of ulcer disease was studied. Cimetidine appeared on the Swedish market in 1978. Unlike other innovations, whose spread is normally slow during the initial period, cimetidine was introduced very swiftly and its use quickly expanded. It was expected that it would reduce the number of elective ulcer operations, with resulting savings in medical care resources exceeding the cost of the new drug. The use of cimetidine was also expected to reduce the indirect costs related to short- and long-term illness. The aims of the study were: (1) to describe and calculate the economic impact of the introduction of cimetidine; (2) to compare the retrospective calculations with the prospective calculations; and (3) to investigate how routinely collected data could serve as a complement to studies of efficacy, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. Retrospective calculation of the economic effects shows that cimetidine has in fact increased the direct costs of medical care. On the other hand, the drop in indirect costs due to reduced long-term absence (disability) from work, and reduced short-term absence from work, exceeded the increase in the cost of medical care. Thus, the total economic cost of peptic ulcer disease was reduced.

Absenteeism↗

Hand injury costs.

Injuries of the hand are common accounting for around a fifth of all emergencies presenting to emergency departments of most hospitals. Their treatment costs. Those that require more reconstruction, theatre time, stay in hospital and after care cost more. In the UK, over 100 million pounds is being spent per year in treating these injuries. However indirect expense to the patients and the consequences of permanent disability are seldom considered. This review discusses the direct and indirect costs of hand injury, the ability of countries to pay these costs and suggests some ways of minimising these costs.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Economic burden of osteoporosis, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease among postmenopausal women in an employed population.

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal women have a significant risk of developing a number of chronic conditions including osteoporosis (OP), breast cancer (BrCa), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). These diseases can result in significant direct (medical treatment) and indirect (workplace) costs. The objective of this study is to assess these costs among an employed population. METHODS: Deidentified medical and disability claims data from seven large employers (n = 585,441) were analyzed from 1998 through 2000 for female employees, age 50-64 years. Medical claim ICD-9CM codes were used to identify patients treated for: OP (n = 2,314), BrCa (n = 555), and CVD (n = 1,710). Each disease cohort was compared to a random sample of 50- to 64-year-old female employees (n = 7,575). Descriptive and multivariate techniques were used to characterize direct and indirect costs attributable to each condition. RESULTS: Average annual direct costs were higher (p < .001) for female employees treated for OP (6,259 dollars), BrCa (13,925 dollars), or CVD (12,055 dollars) when compared with the random sample (2,951 dollars). In addition, average annual indirect costs associated with OP (4,039 dollars), BrCa (8,236 dollars), and CVD (4,990 dollars) were higher (p < .001) than indirect costs for the random sample (2,292 dollars). Even when controlling for each disease-state cohort's demographics and disease-specific comorbidities, patients treated for OP, BrCa, and CVD continued to have significantly greater direct and indirect costs (p < .001) than the random sample. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic conditions such as OP, BrCa, and CVD, which occur more frequently in women after menopause, impose a significant financial burden. Greater health care utilization and work-loss prevalence among women treated for these conditions contribute to these additional costs.

Aged↗

Cost-effectiveness of intracoronary ultrasound for percutaneous coronary interventions.

The Strategy for Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) guided PTCA and Stenting trial included a prospectively designed economic analysis to investigate whether routine IVUS guidance intervention is cost-effective. Consecutive patients (n = 269) with 356 lesions were randomly assigned to receive provisional stenting with angiographic guidance only (ANGIO) or with IVUS guidance. The 2-year major adverse cardiac event-free survival (effectiveness) was significantly higher in the IVUS-guided group (80% vs 69%, p <0.04). In-hospital costs for procedural personnel, capital equipment, and disposable equipment were higher in the IVUS group. This was offset by lower costs for inpatient care and urgent target vessel revascularization in the IVUS group. Therefore, the total in-hospital cost was only slightly higher with IVUS (5,245 +/- $2,256 [IVUS] vs 4,776 +/- $2,961 [ANGIO], $/patient, p = 0.15). During a 2-year follow-up, costs for cardiac hospitalizations were slightly lower in the IVUS group, whereas costs for medication and indirect costs were similar. This resulted in identical total costs over the 2-year period (15,947 +/- $8,545 [IVUS] vs 16,103 +/- $9,954 [ANGIO], $/patient, p = 0.89). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for IVUS guidance calculated to -$1,417/major adverse cardiac event-free survival gained. In 55.3% of bootstrapping replications, IVUS was less expensive and more effective. In conclusion, when used in a provisional stenting strategy, routine IVUS imaging is cost-saving half the time.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗