Incremental cost-effectiveness of dobutamine stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients at intermediate risk for coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
The effectiveness of stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as a gatekeeper for coronary angiography (CA) has been established. Level five HTA studies according to the hierarchical model of diagnostic test evaluation are not available.


METHODS
This cohort study included 1,158 consecutive patients (mean age 63 ± 11 years, 42 % women) presenting at our institution between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004 with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) for an elective CA. The patients were assessed for eligibility and propensity score matching was applied to address selection bias regarding the patients' allocation to CMR or direct CA. Median patient follow-up was 7.9 years (95 % CI 7.8-8.0 years). The primary effect was calculated as relative survival difference. The cost unit calculation (per patient) at our institute was the source of costs.


RESULTS
Survival was similar in CMR and CA (p = 0.139). Catheterizations ruling out CAD were significantly reduced by the CMR gate-keeper strategy. Patients with prior CMR had significantly lower costs at the initial hospital stay and at follow-up (CMR vs. CA, initial: 2,904<euro> vs. 3,421<euro>, p = 0.018; follow-up: 2,045<euro> vs. 3,318<euro>, p = 0.037). CMR was cost-effective in terms of a contribution of 12,466<euro> per life year to cover a part of the CMR costs.


CONCLUSIONS
Stress CMR prior to CA was saving 12,466<euro> of hospital costs per life year. Lower costs at follow-up suggest sustained cost-effectiveness of the CMR-guided strategy.
Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, German Heart Institute Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
George
G
Petrov
Sebastian
S
Kelle
Eckart
E
Fleck
Ernst
E
Wellnhofer
D000368:Aged; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000191:economics; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004280:Dobutamine