Cost-effectiveness of spironolactone in patients with severe heart failure.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Management of heart failure is estimated to consume between 1% and 2% of total healthcare resources with hospital admissions accounting for up to 70% of this. The ability of the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone to reduce hospital admission rates by 35% would be expected to prove cost-effective.

AIM:

To determine the cost-effectiveness of spironolactone when added to standard therapy in patients with severe chronic heart failure.

METHODS:

A Markov model of chronic heart failure was constructed using Treeage software. Irish cost data were incorporated into the model.

RESULTS:

The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for spironolactone therapy was Euro 466 per life year gained (LYG). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated an ICER range of Euro 75 to Euro 1,136 per LYG.

CONCLUSION:

This economic evaluation suggests that the addition of spironolactone to standard therapy for patients with severe chronic heart failure is not only safe and effective, but is highly cost-effective in the Irish healthcare setting.

• Authors: L Tilson, B McGowan, M Ryan, M Barry
• Journal: Irish journal of medical science (Ir J Med Sci) 2003 Apr-Jun Vol. 172 Issue 2 Pg. 70-2 ISSN: 0021-1265 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 12930056 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists
• Spironolactone

Topics

• Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Costs and Cost Analysis
• Heart Failure (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Markov Chains
• Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (economics, therapeutic use)
• Spironolactone (economics, therapeutic use)