OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance of the carotid arteries provides important insight into plaque composition and vulnerability in addition to the traditional measure of stenosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of MR imaging as a first-line modality to assess carotid disease and guide management for high-risk patients with <50% stenosis. METHODS: Using TreeAge Pro, a cost-effectiveness simulation was conducted comparing two strategies: (a) standard of care first-line carotid duplex ultrasound (DUS) with regular follow-up, vs (b) first-line MR assessment of stenosis and intraplaque haemorrhage (MRIPH) in which patients with IPH received annual DUS surveillance and immediate carotid endarterectomy in case of plaque progression. RESULTS: For patients aged 70 years old, using a first-line MRIPH strategy resulted in a 16.8% relative risk reduction in strokes compared to DUS (0.080 vs 0.097 strokes per patient per lifetime), and an increased quality-adjusted-life years (12.23 vs 12.20) at an increased cost of $897.33 over a patient's lifetime ($5784.53 vs $4887.20 average total cost per patient per lifetime). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $29,744 per quality-adjusted-life years. MRIPH remained cost-effective below a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 for 91.8% of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: MRIPH was found to be a cost-effective first-line tool to identify asymptomatic patients at high risk for stroke requiring annual surveillance and prompt management. Advances in Knowledge: Using MR imaging as a fist-line method to detect the presence of IPH provides clinically useful and cost-effective information that allows for enhanced risk evaluation and primary stroke prevention.
OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance of the carotid arteries provides important insight into plaque composition and vulnerability in addition to the traditional measure of stenosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of MR imaging as a first-line modality to assess carotid disease and guide management for high-risk patients with <50% stenosis. METHODS: Using TreeAge Pro, a cost-effectiveness simulation was conducted comparing two strategies: (a) standard of care first-line carotid duplex ultrasound (DUS) with regular follow-up, vs (b) first-line MR assessment of stenosis and intraplaque haemorrhage (MRIPH) in which patients with IPH received annual DUS surveillance and immediate carotid endarterectomy in case of plaque progression. RESULTS: For patients aged 70 years old, using a first-line MRIPH strategy resulted in a 16.8% relative risk reduction in strokes compared to DUS (0.080 vs 0.097 strokes per patient per lifetime), and an increased quality-adjusted-life years (12.23 vs 12.20) at an increased cost of $897.33 over a patient's lifetime ($5784.53 vs $4887.20 average total cost per patient per lifetime). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $29,744 per quality-adjusted-life years. MRIPH remained cost-effective below a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 for 91.8% of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: MRIPH was found to be a cost-effective first-line tool to identify asymptomatic patients at high risk for stroke requiring annual surveillance and prompt management. Advances in Knowledge: Using MR imaging as a fist-line method to detect the presence of IPH provides clinically useful and cost-effective information that allows for enhanced risk evaluation and primary stroke prevention.
Authors: James V Freeman; Ruo P Zhu; Douglas K Owens; Alan M Garber; David W Hutton; Alan S Go; Paul J Wang; Mintu P Turakhia Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2010-11-01 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Mariana Selwaness; Quirijn van den Bouwhuijsen; Francesco U S Mattace-Raso; Germaine C Verwoert; Albert Hofman; Oscar H Franco; Jacqueline C M Witteman; Aad van der Lugt; Meike W Vernooij; Jolanda J Wentzel Journal: Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol Date: 2014-01-30 Impact factor: 8.311
Authors: J M Wardlaw; F M Chappell; M Stevenson; E De Nigris; S Thomas; J Gillard; E Berry; G Young; P Rothwell; G Roditi; M Gough; A Brennan; J Bamford; J Best Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2006-08 Impact factor: 4.014
Authors: Ethan A Halm; Stanley Tuhrim; Jason J Wang; Caron Rockman; Thomas S Riles; Mark R Chassin Journal: Stroke Date: 2008-10-23 Impact factor: 7.914