[Cost-effectiveness of primary PTCA and thrombolysis in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction].

Clinical studies have shown a favourable outcome for primary PTCA compared with thrombolysis in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. No data are available in Switzerland on the logistic and economic implications of treating more acute myocardial infarction patients by PTCA. The present paper sets out to assess all published studies comparing the cost-effectiveness of the two treatment modalities. A Medline search identified seven original cost and cost-effectiveness studies conducted between 1989 and 1999. According to these studies emergency PTCA generates costs similar to thrombolysis in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction if the infrastructure is available and there is high volume output. Better clinical results, as suggested by the literature, would result in a favourable cost-effectiveness ratio for primary PTCA.