[Cost effectiveness of bisoprolol in heart failure. Economic evaluation of the Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study (CIBIS) for Germany].

BACKGROUND

The Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study (CIBIS) demonstrates that, for patients with heart failure of different etiologies, the administration of the beta(1)-adrenoceptor blocker bisoprolol adjuvant to the standard therapy leads to a significant avoidance of hospital admissions.

PHARMACOECONOMIC EVALUATION

The results of the CIBIS were evaluated pharmacoeconomically for the Federal Republic of Germany, and were restricted to direct costs only. The costs of bisoprolol medication and in-patient treatment of heart failure were considered, the latter forming the major part of costs incurred.

CONCLUSION

Adjunctive therapy with bisoprolol is not only clinically beneficial to the patient with heart failure, but also economically advantageous.