Costs and effects of c7E3 in high risk PTCA patients. An indirect analysis for The Netherlands

A cost effectiveness study is presented on the use of c7E3 in high risk patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The results from the EPIC study have been combined with cost data from The Netherlands. The study took account of the number of survivors without ischaemic events, and the number with neither ischaemic events nor bleeding (both measured after 6 months). It is estimated that the initial costs of c7E3 and the additional costs due to the increased risk of bleeding are almost entirely counterbalanced by the savings, as a result of fewer myocardial infarctions and revascularizations. The additional costs per additional patient without ischaemic events are approximately DFL 5235. The additional costs per additional patient with neither ischaemic events nor bleeding are estimated at DFL 15,685. Both figures are less than the average for similar procedures without c7E3. Sensitivity analysis supports the conclusion that c7E3 treatment is efficient. However, cost effectiveness could be further improved if patients are carefully selected.