Early cost-utility analysis of tissue-engineered heart valves compared to bioprostheses in the aortic position in elderly patients.

Simone A Huygens, Isaac Corro Ramos, Carlijn V C Bouten, Jolanda Kluin, Shih Ting Chiu, Gary Grunkemeier, Johanna J M Takkenberg, Maureen P M H Rutten-van Mölken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Aortic valve disease is the most frequent indication for heart valve replacement with the highest prevalence in elderly. Tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHV) are foreseen to have important advantages over currently used bioprosthetic heart valve substitutes, most importantly reducing valve degeneration with subsequent reduction of re-intervention. We performed early Health Technology Assessment of hypothetical TEHV in elderly patients (≥ 70 years) requiring surgical (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to assess the potential of TEHV and to inform future development decisions.

METHODS: Using a patient-level simulation model, the potential cost-effectiveness of TEHV compared with bioprostheses was predicted from a societal perspective. Anticipated, but currently hypothetical improvements in performance of TEHV, divided in durability, thrombogenicity, and infection resistance, were explored in scenario analyses to estimate quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gain, cost reduction, headroom, and budget impact.

RESULTS: Durability of TEHV had the highest impact on QALY gain and costs, followed by infection resistance. Improved TEHV performance (- 50% prosthetic valve-related events) resulted in lifetime QALY gains of 0.131 and 0.043, lifetime cost reductions of €639 and €368, translating to headrooms of €3255 and €2498 per hypothetical TEHV compared to SAVR and TAVI, respectively. National savings in the first decade after implementation varied between €2.8 and €11.2 million (SAVR) and €3.2-€12.8 million (TAVI) for TEHV substitution rates of 25-100%.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the relatively short life expectancy of elderly patients undergoing SAVR/TAVI, hypothetical TEHV are predicted to be cost-effective compared to bioprostheses, commercially viable and result in national cost savings when biomedical engineers succeed in realising improved durability and/or infection resistance of TEHV.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalThe European journal of health economics : HEPAC : health economics in prevention and care
StatePublished - Jun 1 2020

Keywords

  • cards
  • cards publication
  • oregon
  • portland
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bioprosthesis
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Female
  • Health Expenditures
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Econometric
  • Quality-Adjusted Life Years
  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical
  • Tissue Engineering

Disciplines

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics

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