Copyright © 1999 by the European Society of Cardiology.
Economics of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in Europe—the EMPIRE study
a National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, U.K.
b Arthur D. Little Ltd, London, U.K.
c Amersham, U.K.
d Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University College London School of Medicine, London, U.K.
accepted July 1, 1998
Abstract
Background
Physicians use myocardial perfusion imaging to a variable extent in patients presenting with possible coronary artery disease. There are few clinical data on the most cost-effective strategy although computer models predict that routine use of myocardial perfusion imaging is cost-effective.
Objectives
To measure the cost-effectiveness of four diagnostic strategies in patients newly presenting with possible coronary artery disease, and to compare cost-effectiveness in centres that routinely use myocardial perfusion imaging with those that do not.
Methods
We have studied 396 patients presenting to eight hospitals for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The hospitals were regular users or non-users of myocardial perfusion imaging with one of each in four countries (France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom). Information was gathered retrospectively on presentation, investigations, complications, and clinical management, and patients were followed-up for 2 years in order to assess outcome. Pre- and post-test probabilities of coronary artery disease were computed for diagnostic tests and each test was also assigned as diagnostic or part of management. Diagnostic strategies defined were: 1: Exercise electrocardiogram/coronary angiography, 2: exercise electrocardiogram/myocardial perfusion imaging/coronary angiography, 3: myocardial perfusion imaging/coronary angiography, 4: coronary angiography. Primary outcome measures were the cost and accuracy of diagnosis, the cost of subsequent management, and clinical outcome. Secondary measures included prognostic power, normal angiography rate, and rate of angiography not followed by revascularization.
Results
Mean diagnostic costs per patient were: strategy 1: £490, 2: £409, 3: £460, 4: £1253 (P<0·0001). Myocardial perfusion imaging users: £529, non-users £667 (P=0·006). Mean probability of the presence of coronary artery disease when the final clinical diagnosis was coronary artery disease present were, strategy 1: 0·85, 2: 0·82, 3: 0·97, 4: 1·0 (P<0·0001), users 0·93, non-users 0·88 (P=0·02), and when coronary artery disease was absent, 1: 0·26, 2: 0·22, 3: 0·16, 4: 0·0 (P<0·0001), users 0·21, non-users 0·20 (P=ns). Total 2-year costs (coronary artery disease present/absent) were: strategy 1: £4453/£710, 2: £3842/£478, 3: £3768/£574, 4: £5599/£1475 (P<0·05/0·0001), users: £5563/£623, non-users: £5428/£916 (P=ns/0·001). Prognostic power at diagnosis was higher (P<0·0001) and normal coronary angiography rate lower (P=0·07) in the scintigraphic centres and strategies. Numbers of soft and hard cardiac events over 2 years and final symptomatic status did not differ between strategy or centre.
Conclusion
Investigative strategies using myocardial perfusion imaging are cheaper and equally effective when compared with strategies that do not use myocardial perfusion imaging, both for cost of diagnosis and for overall 2 year management costs. Two year patient outcome is the same.
Key Words: Cost-effectiveness • economics • myocardial perfusion scintigraphy • coronary artery disease • diagnosis
1 Correspondence: Professor S. R. Underwood, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, U.K.
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