Cost and cost-effectiveness studies in heart failure research.

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is a major and increasing cause of death and disability and accounts for significant resource use. In the United States alone, the prevalence is 4.6 million, with an incidence rate of 550,000 new cases a year and approximately 957,000 hospitalizations a year.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Methods of evaluating cost and outcome and of comparing cost with outcome are reviewed. Economic and cost-effectiveness studies in heart failure research, especially those related to clinical trials, are reviewed in the therapeutic areas of digoxin, angiotension-converting enzyme inhibition, beta blockers, disease management, and transplantation.

CONCLUSION

In an era in which economic constraints on medical resource use limit the ability to give all services to all patients, economic studies can help guide more rational decision making. Economic studies in heart failure can be expected to improve and so help society to make better, more informed choices.