Expert panel on cost analysis of atrial fibrillation.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate total cost of atrial fibrillation (AF) management concerning acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, stroke and drug related adverse events with respect to clinical practice and available guidelines.


METHODS
This cost analysis study was based on identification of total costs related to management of acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, stroke and the drug related adverse events in patients with AF based on standardized questionnaire forms filled by experts according to their daily clinical practice and also to ACCF/AHA/ESC guidelines. Total cost included cost items related to treatment, healthcare resources utilization, and diagnostic test and consultations.


RESULTS
The yearly cost of acute coronary syndrome per patient was 5.478.43 TL according to expert's view reflecting real clinical practice whereas it was 11.319.44 TL when calculation was based on recommendations in the guidelines. The average total cost of heart failure was 4.523.74 TL according to expert's view whereas it was 2.925.86 TL based on guidelines. The average total cost of stroke was 5.719.25 TL according to expert's view but 7.931.18 TL based on guidelines. Among drug related adverse events, only those related to cardiac adverse events were estimated to be higher according to expert view as compared to guideline recommendations (288.65 vs. 150.99 TL).


CONCLUSIONS
Reflecting the treatment algorithms in the management of AF and related adverse events, our findings seem to emphasize the extra burden on health economics posed by patients suffering from the uncontrolled disease.
Practice and Research Center, Marmara University Hypertension and Atherosclerosis Training-İstanbul, Turkey. serdarfak@marmara.edu.tr
Ali Serdar
AS
Fak
M Serdar
MS
Küçükoğlu
Nazire Afşar
NA
Fak
Mesut
M
Demir
Ayşen A
AA
Ağir
Mustafa
M
Demirtaş
Sedat
S
Köse
Murat
M
Özdemir
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000191:economics; D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019468:Disease Management; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey