BACKGROUND: Recently, several randomized trials have demonstrated that intracoronary brachytherapy can reduce the rates of both angiographic and clinical restenosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for in-stent restenosis. Whether this practice is cost-effective is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS:Between December 1997 and July 1998, 252 patients with in-stent restenosis were randomized to receive brachytherapy or placebo after successful PCI as part of the Gamma-1 trial. We collected detailed resource utilization and cost data for each patient's initial hospitalization and for 1 year after randomization. Compared with conventional treatment, intracoronary brachytherapy increased procedure duration, physician services, and equipment costs. As a result, initial costs were increased by nearly $4100 per patient ($15 724 versus $11 675, P<0.001). Over the 1-year follow-up period, brachytherapy reduced the need for repeat revascularization by 21% and reduced the need for bypass surgery by 44%. Although follow-up medical care costs were $2200/patient lower with brachytherapy, total costs remained higher at 1 year ($28 543 versus $26 737, P=0.46). In a sensitivity analysis that incorporated recent technical modifications and the use of prolonged antiplatelet therapy to prevent late thrombotic occlusion, follow-up cost savings increased to $3600/patient, and 1-year costs were slightly lower with brachytherapy ($26 352 versus $26 729, P=0.87). Subgroup analysis demonstrated significant cost savings in patients with diabetes and patients who did not undergo repeat stenting. CONCLUSIONS: As performed in the Gamma-1 trial, coronary brachytherapy for in-stent restenosis improved clinical outcomes but increased 1-year costs compared with standard therapy. If late thrombosis can be eliminated, however, this technology has the potential to reduce overall medical care costs.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Recently, several randomized trials have demonstrated that intracoronary brachytherapy can reduce the rates of both angiographic and clinical restenosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for in-stent restenosis. Whether this practice is cost-effective is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between December 1997 and July 1998, 252 patients with in-stent restenosis were randomized to receive brachytherapy or placebo after successful PCI as part of the Gamma-1 trial. We collected detailed resource utilization and cost data for each patient's initial hospitalization and for 1 year after randomization. Compared with conventional treatment, intracoronary brachytherapy increased procedure duration, physician services, and equipment costs. As a result, initial costs were increased by nearly $4100 per patient ($15 724 versus $11 675, P<0.001). Over the 1-year follow-up period, brachytherapy reduced the need for repeat revascularization by 21% and reduced the need for bypass surgery by 44%. Although follow-up medical care costs were $2200/patient lower with brachytherapy, total costs remained higher at 1 year ($28 543 versus $26 737, P=0.46). In a sensitivity analysis that incorporated recent technical modifications and the use of prolonged antiplatelet therapy to prevent late thrombotic occlusion, follow-up cost savings increased to $3600/patient, and 1-year costs were slightly lower with brachytherapy ($26 352 versus $26 729, P=0.87). Subgroup analysis demonstrated significant cost savings in patients with diabetes and patients who did not undergo repeat stenting. CONCLUSIONS: As performed in the Gamma-1 trial, coronary brachytherapy for in-stent restenosis improved clinical outcomes but increased 1-year costs compared with standard therapy. If late thrombosis can be eliminated, however, this technology has the potential to reduce overall medical care costs.
Authors: Katherine R Vilain; Elizabeth A Magnuson; Haiyan Li; Wayne M Clark; Richard J Begg; Albert D Sam; W Charles Sternbergh; Fred A Weaver; William A Gray; Jenifer H Voeks; Thomas G Brott; David J Cohen Journal: Stroke Date: 2012-07-19 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: Matthew R Reynolds; Duane S Pinto; Chunxue Shi; Joshua Walczak; Ronna Berezin; David R Holmes; David J Cohen Journal: Am Heart J Date: 2007-09-06 Impact factor: 4.749