Pulmonary artery pressure‐guided heart failure management: US cost‐effectiveness analyses using the results of the CHAMPION clinical trial

AIMS: Haemodynamic‐guided heart failure (HF) management effectively reduces decompensation events and need for hospitalizations. The economic benefit of clinical improvement requires further study. METHODS AND RESULTS: An estimate of the cost‐effectiveness of haemodynamic‐guided HF management was made based on observations published in the randomized, prospective single‐blinded CHAMPION trial. A comprehensive analysis was performed including healthcare utilization event rates, survival, and quality of life demonstrated in the randomized portion of the trial (18 months). Markov modelling with Monte Carlo simulation was used to approximate comprehensive costs and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) from a payer perspective. Unit costs were estimated using the Truven Health MarketScan database from April 2008 to March 2013. Over a 5‐year horizon, patients in the Treatment group had average QALYs of 2.56 with a total cost of US$56 974; patients in the Control group had QALYs of 2.16 with a total cost of US$52 149. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) was US$12 262 per QALY. Using comprehensive cost modelling, including all anticipated costs of HF and non‐HF hospitalizations, physician visits, prescription drugs, long‐term care, and outpatient hospital visits over 5 years, the Treatment group had a total cost of US$212 004 and the Control group had a total cost of US$200 360. The ICER was US$29 593 per QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Standard economic modelling suggests that pulmonary artery pressure‐guided management of HF using the CardioMEMS™ HF System is cost‐effective from the US‐payer perspective. This analysis provides the background for further modelling in specific country healthcare systems and cost structures.