In:
Medical Decision Making, SAGE Publications, Vol. 14, No. 4 ( 1994-10), p. 325-335
Abstract:
A decision tree model was used to estimate the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) of low- as opposed to high-osmolality contrast media for cardiac angiography. Analyses were done from the viewpoints of a third-party payer and society using data from a randomized trial and the literature. Assuming low-osmolality media reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, the incremental cost per QALY gained with these media is $17,264 in high-risk or $47,874 in low-risk patients for a third-party payer. From a societal viewpoint, the corresponding costs are $649 and $35,509. These estimates are sensitive to the cost and volume of the contrast medium employed and to the estimate of reduction in severe adverse events with low-osmolality media. The authors conclude that, in the context of restricted budgets, limiting the use of low-osmolality media to high-risk patients is justifiable, as the incremental cost per QALY in high-risk patients may be reasonable and it is not certain that low-osmolality media prevent severe or fatal events. A considerable reduction in the cost per QALY gained is possible by minimizing the volume of contrast medium used. Key words: contrast media; low-osmolality; high-osmolality; cardiac angiography; cost-utility; cost-benefit; cost-effectiveness; economic analysis. (Med Decis Making 1994;14:325- 335)
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0272-989X
,
1552-681X
DOI:
10.1177/0272989X9401400403
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
1994
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2040405-0
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