Jian Ming1, Yan Wei1, Hui Sun1, Gongru Wong1, Gang Yang2, Raymond Pong3, Yingyao Chen4. 1. Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. 2. Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. 3. Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. 4. Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: yychen@shmu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) presents a significant economic burden to the healthcare system. Catheter ablations is a commonly adopted treatment for paroxysmal AF. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of cryoballoon ablation versus radiofrequency ablation in patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF in a tertiary hospital in China. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to study the effects and costs. Cost and probability input data were obtained mainly from a retrospective real-world study conducted in a tertiary hospital. Propensity score matching was used to overcome retrospective bias. Input data gaps were remedied by means of literature review and advice from experts. A simulation was performed for the post-procedure lifetime years. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In the base-case analysis of a lifetime time horizon, a patient treated with cryoballoon ablation was associated with 7.85 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and ¥132 222 ($19 913) total costs, whereas a radiofrequency ablation treated patient was associated with 7.71 QALYs and ¥147 304 ($22 184) total costs. The cryoballoon group had slightly better health outcomes (with a difference of 0.14 QALY) and lower total costs (with a difference of ¥15 082) (USD $2 271), and it may be considered as cost-effective or cost-saving strategy (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio -¥110 158 [$16 590] per QALY) for the management of paroxysmal AF. Different scenarios were tested with sensitivity analyses, but still, the outcomes remained cost-effective or cost-saving for cryoballoon ablation. CONCLUSIONS: An economic evaluation based on real-world data suggests that, relative to radiofrequency ablation, cryoballoon ablation may be considered as a more cost-effective or cost-saving long-term strategy for drug-refractory paroxysmal AF in this tertiary hospital in China. However, further evidence is needed using data from large-scale studies in order to reflect a national perspective.
BACKGROUND:Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) presents a significant economic burden to the healthcare system. Catheter ablations is a commonly adopted treatment for paroxysmal AF. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of cryoballoon ablation versus radiofrequency ablation in patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF in a tertiary hospital in China. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to study the effects and costs. Cost and probability input data were obtained mainly from a retrospective real-world study conducted in a tertiary hospital. Propensity score matching was used to overcome retrospective bias. Input data gaps were remedied by means of literature review and advice from experts. A simulation was performed for the post-procedure lifetime years. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In the base-case analysis of a lifetime time horizon, a patient treated with cryoballoon ablation was associated with 7.85 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and ¥132 222 ($19 913) total costs, whereas a radiofrequency ablation treated patient was associated with 7.71 QALYs and ¥147 304 ($22 184) total costs. The cryoballoon group had slightly better health outcomes (with a difference of 0.14 QALY) and lower total costs (with a difference of ¥15 082) (USD $2 271), and it may be considered as cost-effective or cost-saving strategy (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio -¥110 158 [$16 590] per QALY) for the management of paroxysmal AF. Different scenarios were tested with sensitivity analyses, but still, the outcomes remained cost-effective or cost-saving for cryoballoon ablation. CONCLUSIONS: An economic evaluation based on real-world data suggests that, relative to radiofrequency ablation, cryoballoon ablation may be considered as a more cost-effective or cost-saving long-term strategy for drug-refractory paroxysmal AF in this tertiary hospital in China. However, further evidence is needed using data from large-scale studies in order to reflect a national perspective.