Cost-effectiveness of stent-retriever thrombectomy in large vessel occlusion strokes of the anterior circulation: Analysis from the French societal perspective

Cost-effectiveness of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in China: evidence from Shandong Peninsula

BACKGROUND

Recently, the endovascular treatment (EVT) of acute ischemic stroke has made significant progress in many aspects. Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is usually recommended before endovascular treatment in clinical practice, but the value of the practice is controversial. The latest meta-analysis evaluation was that the effect of EVT versus EVT plus IVT did not differ significantly. The cost-effectiveness analysis of EVT plus IVT needs further analysis. This study assesses the health benefits and economic impact of EVT plus IVT in Shandong Peninsula of China.

METHOD

We followed a cross-section design using the Chinese-Shandong Peninsula public hospital database between 2013 and 2023. The real-world costs and health outcomes were collected through the Hospital Information System (HIS) and published references. We calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) from the perspective of Chinese healthcare using the complex decision model to compare the costs and effectiveness between EVT versus EVT + IVT. One-way and Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the economic evaluation model.

RESULTS

EVT alone had a lower cost compared with EVT + IVT whether short-term or long-term. Until 99% dead of AIS patients, the ICER per additional QALY was RMB696399.30 over the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of 3× gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in Shandong. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis of 3 months, 1 year and long-term horizons had a 97.90%, 97.43% and 96.89% probability of cost-effective treatment under the WTP threshold (1×GDP). The results of the one-way sensitivity analysis showed that direct treatment costs for EVT alone and EVT + IVT were all sensitive to ICER.

CONCLUSIONS

EVT alone was more cost-effective treatment compared to EVT + IVT in the Northeast Coastal Area of China. The data of this study could be used as a reference in China, and the use of the evaluation in other regions should be carefully considered.

Cost-effectiveness of left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac surgery in France: An economic evaluation based on the LAAOS III study

OBJECTIVES

Left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac surgery is a therapeutic option for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The effectiveness and safety of left atrial appendage occlusion have been evaluated in several studies, including the LAAOS-III trial. While these studies have demonstrated efficacy and safety, the long-term economic impact of this surgical technique has not yet been assessed. Here, we aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac surgery over a long-term time horizon.

METHODS

Our study was based on a model representing an hypothetical cohort with the same characteristics as LAAOS-III trial patients. We modelled the incidence of ischemic strokes and systemic embolisms in each intervention arm: "occlusion" and "no-occlusion," using a one-month cycle length with a 20-year time horizon. Regarding occlusion devices, sutures, staples, or an approved surgical occlusion device (AtriClip™-AtriCure, Ohio, USA) could be used.

RESULTS

Our model generated an average cost savings of 607 euros per patient and an incremental gain of 0.062 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), resulting an incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of €-9,775/QALY. The scenario analysis in which occlusion was systematically performed using the AtriClip™ device generated an ICUR of €3,952/QALY gained.

CONCLUSIONS

In the base-case analysis, the strategy proved to be more effective and less costly, confirming left atrial appendage occlusion during cardiac surgery as an economically dominant strategy. The scenario analysis also appeared cost-effective, although it did not result in cost savings. This study provides a new perspective on the assessment of the cost-effectiveness of these techniques.

Economic evaluation of stent retrievers in basilar artery occlusion: An analysis from Chinese healthcare system perspective

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of stent retriever (SR) versus best medical management (BMM) in patients with basilar artery occlusion (BAO) in China.

METHODS

We used a two-step approach to compare the cost-effectiveness of SR plus BMM with that of BMM alone over 20 years. A decision tree was initially constructed for the first 3 months, followed by a Markov model for the subsequent period. Collected data on clinical aspects were extracted from the BAOCHE investigation, while costs-related information was sourced from previously published research. The key metric for evaluating the primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), achieved $/QALY. The threshold for identifying SR as highly cost-effective was set at an ICER below $12,551/QALY, SR was deemed cost-effective if the ICER ranged from $12,551 to $37,654 per QALY. Uncertainty was addressed using scenario, one-way sensitivity, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA).

FINDINGS

For Chinese patients with BAO, the 20-year cost per patient was $8678 with BMM alone and $21,988 for SR plus BMM. Effectiveness was 1.45 QALY for BMM alone, and 2.77 QALY for SR plus BMM. The ICER of SR + BMM versus BMM alone was $10,050 per QALY. The scenario and one-way sensitivity analyses revealed that in certain situations the ICER could exceed $12,551 per QALY, but remain below $37,654 per QALY. Results from the PSA suggested that SR was likely to be cost-effective for Chinese patients with BAO, with a probability exceeding 98% when considering a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $12,551 per QALY.

IMPLICATIONS

Our study indicates that SR is an intervention option that is highly likely to be cost-effective for Chinese patients with BAO, with a probability of over 98% under the current WTP threshold of $12,551 per QALY.

Mechanical Thrombectomy with Intravenous Thrombolysis versus Thrombolysis Alone for the Treatment of Stroke: A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations

Mechanical thrombectomy has revolutionized the management of stroke by improving the recanalization rates and reducing deleterious consequences. It is now the standard of care despite the high financial cost. A considerable number of studies have evaluated its cost effectiveness. Therefore, this study aimed to identify economic evaluations of mechanical thrombectomy with thrombolysis compared with thrombolysis alone to provide an update of existing evidence, focusing on the period after proof of effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy. Twenty-one studies were included in the review: 18 were model-based economic evaluations to simulate long-term outcomes and costs, and 19 were conducted in high-income countries. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranged from -$5,670 to $74,216 per quality-adjusted life year. Mechanical thrombectomy is cost-effective in high-income countries and in the populations selected for clinical trials. However, most of the studies used the same data. There is a lack of real-world and long-term data to analyze the cost effectiveness of mechanical thrombectomy in treating the global burden of stroke.

Cost-effectiveness of endovascular thrombectomy with alteplase versus endovascular thrombectomy alone for acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion

BACKGROUND

Recent randomized trials have suggested that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) alone may provide similar functional outcomes as the current standard of care, EVT combined with intravenous alteplase treatment, for acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion. We conducted an economic evaluation of these 2 therapeutic options.

METHODS

We constructed a decision analytic model with a hypothetical cohort of 1000 patients to assess the cost-effectiveness of EVT with intravenous alteplase treatment versus EVT alone for acute ischemic stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion from both the societal and public health care payer perspectives. We used studies and data published in 2009-2021 for model inputs, and acquired cost data for Canada and China, representing high- and middle-income countries, respectively. We calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) using a lifetime horizon and accounted for uncertainty using 1-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. All costs are reported in 2021 Canadian dollars.

RESULTS

In Canada, the difference in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained between EVT with alteplase and EVT alone was 0.10 from both the societal and health care payer perspectives. The difference in cost was $2847 from a societal perspective and $2767 from the payer perspective. In China, the difference in QALYs gained was 0.07 from both perspectives, and the difference in cost was $1550 from the societal perspective and $1607 from the payer perspective. One-way sensitivity analyses showed that the distributions of modified Rankin Scale scores at 90 days after stroke were the most influential factor on ICERs. For Canada, compared to EVT alone, the probability that EVT with alteplase would be cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50 000 per QALY gained was 58.7% from a societal perspective and 58.4% from a payer perspective. The corresponding values for at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $47 185 (3 times the Chinese gross domestic product per capita in 2021) were 65.2% and 67.4%.

INTERPRETATION

For patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion eligible for immediate treatment with both EVT alone and EVT with intravenous alteplase treatment, it is uncertain whether EVT with alteplase is cost-effective compared to EVT alone in Canada and China.

Moving from traditional to more advanced treatments in stroke care is cost-effective: A case study from Greece

OBJECTIVES

Stroke is the most common cause of disability in high-income countries. Several countries offer a limited range of advanced treatments with implications for outcomes, disability and costs. This study estimates the burden of disability that could have been avoided through the transition from traditional (no intravenous thrombolytic therapy (IVT), or endovascular thrombectomy (EVT)) to modern stroke treatments (treatment in stroke units, IVT and EVT). We perform a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing best practice with traditional stroke care, using Greece as a case study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A Markov model was used to calculate costs and Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) for each treatment strategy, using a lifetime horizon. Data for model inputs were derived from meta-analyses of trials, and national and international cost databases. Sensitivity analyses were also performed to address potential uncertainty and test the robustness of the findings.

RESULTS

Incremental effectiveness comprised 0.22 QALYs per patient and year. Best practice was cost-effective for more than 90% of all iterations (ICER for the baseline scenario: €2,109.25/QALY). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the findings remain robust. Considering the stroke incidence in Greece, the annual additional cost to implement best practice was calculated to be between 0.07%-0.15% of the total health expenditure.

CONCLUSION

Best practice stroke treatment was cost-effective and affordable in a case study based on Greece. The results could be leveraged by including effects of preventive policies and rehabilitation. They also highlight the importance of adopting modern treatment strategies from a cost-effectiveness perspective, apart from the improved clinical outcomes.

Is Endovascular Therapy for Stroke Cost-Effective Globally? A Systematic Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVES

Cost-effectiveness of endovascular therapy (EVT) is a key consideration for broad use of this approach for emergent large vessel occlusion stroke. We evaluated the evidence on cost-effectiveness of EVT in comparison with best medical management from a global perspective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This systematic review of studies published between January 2010 and May 2020 evaluated the cost effectiveness of EVT for patients with large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke. The gain in quality adjusted life year (QALY) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), expressed as cost per QALY resulting from EVT, were recorded. The study setting (country, economic perspective), decision model, and data sources used in economic models of EVT cost-effectiveness were recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty-five original studies from 12 different countries were included in our review. Five of these studies were reported from a societal perspective; 18 were reported from a healthcare system perspective. Two studies used real-world data. The time horizon varied from 1 year to a lifetime; however, 18 studies reported a time horizon of >10 years. Twenty studies reported using outcome data from randomized, controlled clinical trials for their models. Nineteen studies reported using a Markov model. Incremental QALYs ranged from 0.09-3.5. All studies but 1 reported that EVT was cost-effective.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence from different countries and economic perspectives suggests that EVT for stroke treatment is cost-effective. Most cost-effectiveness studies are based on outcome data from randomized clinical trials. However, there is a need to study the cost-effectiveness of EVT based solely on real-world outcome data.