Economic evaluations on cardiovascular preventive interventions in Argentina.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in Argentina. This article analyzes economic evaluations on cardiovascular prevention for this country. A literature search was conducted in five electronic databases during December 2009. Inclusion criteria were complete economic evaluations addressing at least one cardiovascular health outcome for the Argentinean population. Finally, nine studies were included evaluating 14 comparisons. Interventions oriented to primary or secondary prevention in patients that had undergone coronary angioplasty, with a previous cardiovascular event or equivalents, with a hospitalization for heart failure or general population were evaluated. Bread salt reduction, antihypertensive treatment, mass educational campaigns and polypill strategies could be considered cost effective. The available economic evidence to guide resource allocation in cardiovascular disease in Argentina seems to be scarce and limited.