Global health resource utilization associated with pacemaker complications

Pacemaker complications and costs: a nationwide economic study

Aims: Novel leadless pacemakers (LPMs) may reduce complications and associated costs related to conventional pacemaker systems. This study sought to estimate the incidence and associated costs of traditional pacemaker complications, in those patients who were eligible for LPM implantation. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the French National Hospital Database (PMSI), including all patients implanted with a pacemaker in France in 2012, who could have alternatively received an LPM. Complication rates and their associated costs 3 years post-implantation were estimated from the perspective of the French social security system. Results: From a total of 65,553 patients, 11,770 (18%) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 618 patients (5.3%) had a record of pacemaker complications during follow-up, of which 89% were related to the lead and pocket. Most common were pocket bleeding, lead- or generator-related mechanical complications, and pneumothorax. Overall, the mean cost of pacemaker complications per patient was €6,674 ± 3,867 at 3 years. Specifically, €7,143 ± 2,685 for pocket bleeding, €5,123 ± 2,676 for pneumothorax, and €6,020 ± 3,272 for mechanical complications. Conclusions: Major complications associated with the lead and pocket of conventional pacemaker systems are still common, and these represent a significant burden to healthcare systems as they generate substantial costs.

Complications and associated healthcare costs of transvenous cardiac pacemakers in Germany

Aim: This study evaluated the occurrence and associated costs of pacemaker complications in Germany from 2010 to 2013. Patients & methods: Patients with a de novo or replacement implantation of a single or dual chamber pacemaker between 2010 and 2013 were followed for 12 months post-implant using German health insurance claims data. A case-control analysis was performed using propensity score matching to estimate the costs of complications. Results: Out of 12,922 implanted patients, 12.0% had a complication in the year following the implant. Complications related to lead and pocket were found in 10.2% of all implanted patients; infections occurred in 1.7% patients. Healthcare costs up to 36 months post complication were on average €4627 higher than for pacemaker patients without a complication. Conclusion: Pacemaker complications are common and represent a burden for patients and healthcare systems generating substantial costs. Most of the pacemaker complications involved the pacing lead or pacemaker pocket.