Cost-Effectiveness of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in the COMPANION Trial

Feldman, et al estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for COMPANION patients who received cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) via a pacemaker (CRT-P) or a defibrillator (CRT-D) in combination with optimal pharmacological therapy (OPT) relative to patients with OPT alone. The results of the analysis demonstrate the economic value of CRT in COMPANION patients:1

Therapeutic interventions are considered to be cost-effective if they have a cost-effectiveness ratio below the generally accepted benchmarks, which range from $50,000 to $100,000 per QALY. For COMPANION patients, the use of CRT-P and CRT-D was associated with a cost-effectiveness ratio well below those benchmarks. This analysis indicates that the clinical benefits of CRT-D and CRT-P are economically viable and can be achieved at a reasonable cost.

The COMPANION cost-effectiveness study results are published in the December 20 issue of The Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

1. Feldman AM, de Lissovoy G, Bristow MR, et al. Cost-effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy in the Comparison of Medical Therapy, Pacing, and Defibrillation in Heart Failure (COMPANION) trial. JACC. 2005. 2005 Dec 20;46(12):2322-4.