title: [Cost effectiveness of a theoretical cardiac rehabilitation program after myocardial infarction].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Secondary prevention programs are an essential part of comprehensive care of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and its effectiveness in reducing morbidity or mortality has been proved.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the cost-effectiveness of a theoretical comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CCR) outpatient program after Myocardial Infarction, to be implemented in a Chilean Public Health System.
  
  
  METHODS
  We designed a theoretical protocol of a CCR program based on recommendations of international guidelines, but adapted to local needs. A cost analysis was developed. Life years due to premature death were estimated with and without participation in CCR. The gained life-years and cost-effectiveness of the program were thus calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The annual cost of cardiac rehabilitation center is $ 64,407,065 Chilean pesos (CLP). The Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) considering a reduction of late mortality of 25%, is $ 475,209.7 CLP per year of life gained. Since this figure is lower than one unit of per capita gross domestic product, the intervention is considered very cost-effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program after myocardial infarction is very cost-effective in the context of its implementation in a public health service.
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López-Montecinos
authors.forename: Jame
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rebolledo S
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gómez L
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation / Q000191:economics* / Q000401:mortality; D002677:Chile; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000191:economics; D012737:Sex Factors