title: Cost-effectiveness analysis of intravascular ultrasound guided percutaneous coronary intervention versus conventional percutaneous coronary intervention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Investigation of the cost-effectiveness of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared to PCI guided by coronary angiography (CAG).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eight men referred for PCI, were randomized to IVUS or CAG guided PCI. After 6 months, the patients were subjected to a study related clinical and invasive follow-up investigation by CAG, IVUS and intracoronary Doppler flow measurements. Incremental costs of IVUS guided procedures and costs of re-interventions were estimated using the Activity Based Costing (ABC) method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients randomized to IVUS guided PCI experienced an improved clinical outcome, with lower angina levels than patients in the CAG guided group. The initial cost of performing IVUS guidance was increased due to extra procedure time, IVUS catheters and slightly more balloons and stents, but fewer patients in the IVUS guided group needed re-intervention. Overall, these savings outweighed the initial cost increase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that when performing IVUS guided PCI, costs as well as benefits increase. The increased benefits measured as cost savings resulting from less restenosis outweigh the cost increase from performing the IVUS guided PCI as opposed to CAG guided PCI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gaster
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Slothuus
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thayssen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haghfelt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003718:Denmark; D004180:Direct Service Costs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000191:economics*