title: Cost effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation vs. medical treatment for atrial fibrillation in Japan. -Cost performance for atrial fibrillation-.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RF) has recently become widely available for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and has broadened treatment options while confusing the selection of medication therapy or RF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two drugs for the maintenance of sinus rhythm (Ry) and 2 drugs for control of the pulse rate (Ra) were selected and the costs of medication therapy were calculated. RF procedures were grouped into 2 groups each for persistent or paroxysmal AF (RF) and for chronic AF (RFChr), according to the cost of the devices used. The calculated cost of medication therapy was 5,270-23,560 yen per month. The calculated cost of RF procedures was 1,063,200-2,029,640 yen. The costs of RF corresponded to those of Ry for 3.8-14.3 years. The costs of RFChr corresponded to those of Ra for 16.6-63.9 years. The treatment of complications ranged from 360,000 to 1,241,500 yen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the aspect of medical costs and complications, RF should be considered for the treatment of patients with AF detected early or early-stage AF, whereas treatment for its complications should be given priority in patients with chronic AF associated with reduced cardiac function.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan. noro@oha.toho-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Mahito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noro
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kujime
authors.forename: Naoshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Yoshinari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Enomoto
authors.forename: Keijirou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakata
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sugi
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors