Robert Heggie1, Olivia Wu1, Phil White2, Gary A Ford3, Joanna Wardlaw4, Martin M Brown5, Andrew Clifton6, Keith W Muir7. 1. Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment (HEHTA), Institute of Health and Wellbeing, 3526University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. 2. Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. 3. Division of Medical Sciences, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford University, Oxford, UK. 4. Brain Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. 5. Stroke Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK. 6. St George's, University of London, London, UK. 7. Institute of Neuroscience & Psychology, 3526University of Glasgow, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. AIMS: To determine the cost-effectiveness, value of future research, and value of implementation of mechanical thrombectomy. METHODS: Using UK clinical and cost data from the Pragmatic Ischemic Stroke Thrombectomy Evaluation (PISTE) trial, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy over time horizons of 90-days and lifetime, based on a decision-analytic model, using all existing evidence. We performed a meta-analysis of seven clinical trials to estimate treatment effects. We used sensitivity analysis to address uncertainty. Value of implementation analysis was used to estimate the potential value of additional implementation activities to support routine delivery of mechanical thrombectomy. RESULTS: Over the trial period (90 days), compared with best medical care alone, mechanical thrombectomy incurred an incremental cost of £5207 and 0.025 gain in QALY (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) £205,279), which would not be considered cost-effective. However, mechanical thrombectomy was shown to be cost-effective over a lifetime horizon, with an ICER of £3466 per QALY gained. The expected value of perfect information per patient eligible for mechanical thrombectomy in the UK is estimated at £3178. The expected value of full implementation of mechanical thrombectomy is estimated at £1.3 billion over five years. CONCLUSION: Mechanical thrombectomy was cost-effective compared with best medical care alone over a patient's lifetime. On the assumption of 30% implementation being achieved throughout the UK healthcare system, we estimate that the population health benefits obtained from this treatment are greater than the cost of implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01745692.
BACKGROUND: Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke. AIMS: To determine the cost-effectiveness, value of future research, and value of implementation of mechanical thrombectomy. METHODS: Using UK clinical and cost data from the Pragmatic Ischemic Stroke Thrombectomy Evaluation (PISTE) trial, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy over time horizons of 90-days and lifetime, based on a decision-analytic model, using all existing evidence. We performed a meta-analysis of seven clinical trials to estimate treatment effects. We used sensitivity analysis to address uncertainty. Value of implementation analysis was used to estimate the potential value of additional implementation activities to support routine delivery of mechanical thrombectomy. RESULTS: Over the trial period (90 days), compared with best medical care alone, mechanical thrombectomy incurred an incremental cost of £5207 and 0.025 gain in QALY (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) £205,279), which would not be considered cost-effective. However, mechanical thrombectomy was shown to be cost-effective over a lifetime horizon, with an ICER of £3466 per QALY gained. The expected value of perfect information per patient eligible for mechanical thrombectomy in the UK is estimated at £3178. The expected value of full implementation of mechanical thrombectomy is estimated at £1.3 billion over five years. CONCLUSION: Mechanical thrombectomy was cost-effective compared with best medical care alone over a patient's lifetime. On the assumption of 30% implementation being achieved throughout the UK healthcare system, we estimate that the population health benefits obtained from this treatment are greater than the cost of implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01745692.