Comparative cost analysis of implanting devices in different cardiac resynchronization therapeutic strategies

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established treatment option for heart failure patients. However, the implementation of triple‐chamber pacemakers can be cost‐prohibitive. His‐Purkinje system pacing (HPSP) can also enable cardiac resynchronization, and it can be achieved with relatively inexpensive conventional pacemakers. HYPOTHESIS: This article aims to comparatively evaluate the cost of implanting devices in different CRT strategies to provide meaningful guidance for clinical decision‐making by electrophysiologists. METHODS: Data was collected on the prices, designed life, and price/designed life of multiple mainstream models of CRT‐P, CRT‐D, dual‐chamber pacemakers, and single‐chamber pacemakers that were sold in the Chinese market in 2022. The prices, designed lives, and price/designed life of different pacemaker models were then compared. RESULTS: The costs of CRT‐P and CRT‐D (13008.44 ± 2752.30 USD and 22043.36 ± 3676.25 USD) were significantly higher than those of conventional pacemakers (dual‐chamber: 11142.39 ± 4273.85 USD and single‐chamber: 5634.28 ± 2032.80 USD) (p < .05). Additionally, the price/designed life of conventional pacemakers (dual‐chamber: 839.63 ± 258.62 US dollar/year and single‐chamber: 435.86 ± 125.44 US dollar/year) was significantly better than that of CRT‐P and CRT‐D (1386.91 ± 266.73 and 2585.53 ± 520.27 US dollar/year, respectively) (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Conduction system pacing (CSP)‐based CRT is more cost‐effective than BVP‐based CRT. Furthermore, CSP‐based CRT can achieve cardiac resynchronization with conventional pacemakers and may be a good option for HF patients who do not need defibrillation.