Cost-Effectiveness of Thrombolytic Therapy, Compared with Anticoagulants Therapy in the Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Albania

AIM: The study aim is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of thrombolytic treatment in acute MI comparing with anticoagulants therapy and between each other thrombolytic (SK, r-Pa). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used a prospective registry of all patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction in intensive care units in Tirana. The average drugs cost was calculated for the hospitalization period in Albanian money (ALL). Survival and life quality were estimated by phone contact 1 year after acute MI. RESULTS: Anticoagulant group cost is 23865.3 ALL (170.5€), SK group cost is 54148.63 ALL (386.7€), r-Pa group has a cost of 92184.90 ALL (658.5€). In the group treated with SK the hospital survival is 100%, while in the control group 88.8%. Reteplase group has a lower period of stay in hospital than SK group 13.04 days vs. 17.97 days, mean age in group treated with r-Pa is 64.29 ± 10.03 approximate with anticoagulant group mean age 64.17 ± 11.08; differ significantly with SK group mean age 56.75 ± 10.04. Survival after 1 year was 96.4% for r-Pa and 96.9% SK. CONCLUSIONS: SK and r-Pa are successful thrombolytics with high effectiveness. It is gained a higher survival with the thrombolytic treatments. Reteplase is well tolerated in older patients than SK, is easier to apply than Streptokinase, but has higher cost.