Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Rationale and objectives
Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in the emergency department may be cost saving for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but economic outcome data are limited. The objective of this study was to compare the cost of CCT-based evaluation versus standard of care (SOC) using the results of a clinical trial.Materials and methods
We developed a decision analytic cost-minimization model to compare CCT-based and SOC evaluation costs to obtain a correct diagnosis. Model inputs, including Medicare-adjusted patient costs, were primarily obtained from a cohort study of 102 patients at low to intermediate risk for ACS who underwent an emergency department SOC clinical evaluation and a 64-channel CCT. SOC costs included stress testing in 77% of patients. Data from published literature completed the model inputs and expanded data ranges for sensitivity analyses.Results
Modeled mean patient costs for CCT-based evaluation were $750 (24%) lower than the SOC ($2384 and $3134, respectively). Sensitivity analyses indicated that CCT was less expensive over a wide range of estimates and was only more expensive with a CCT specificity below 67% or if more than 44% of very low risk patients had CCT. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis suggested that CCT-based evaluation had a 98.9% probability of being less expensive compared to SOC.Conclusion
Using a decision analytic model, CCT-based evaluation resulted in overall lower cost than the SOC for possible ACS patients over a wide range of cost and outcome assumptions, including computed tomography-related complications and downstream costs.
SUBMITTER: Branch KR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3274607 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Branch Kelley R KR Bresnahan Brian W BW Veenstra David L DL Shuman William P WP Weintraub William S WS Busey Janet M JM Elliott Daniel J DJ Mitsumori Lee M LM Strote Jared J Jobe Kathleen K Dubinsky Ted T Caldwell James H JH
Academic radiology 20111230 3
<h4>Rationale and objectives</h4>Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in the emergency department may be cost saving for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), but economic outcome data are limited. The objective of this study was to compare the cost of CCT-based evaluation versus standard of care (SOC) using the results of a clinical trial.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>We developed a decision analytic cost-minimization model to compare CCT-based and SOC evaluation costs to obtain a correct diagn ...[more]