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Heart 2009;95:542-549 doi:10.1136/hrt.2008.147165
  • Original article
  • Heart rhythm disorders and pacemakers

Cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in the United Kingdom

  1. C McKenna1,
  2. S Palmer1,
  3. M Rodgers2,
  4. D Chambers2,
  5. N Hawkins1,
  6. S Golder2,
  7. S Van Hout1,
  8. C Pepper3,
  9. D Todd4,
  10. N Woolacott2
  1. 1
    Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
  2. 2
    Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
  3. 3
    Yorkshire Heart Centre, Leeds, UK
  4. 4
    The Cardiothoracic Centre, Liverpool NHS Trust, UK
  1. Dr Claire McKenna, Centre for Health Economics, Alcuin ‘A’ Block, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK; cm535{at}york.ac.uk
  • Accepted 24 November 2008
  • Published Online First 18 December 2008

Abstract

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) compared with anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) from the perspective of the UK NHS.

Design: Bayesian evidence synthesis and decision analytical model.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted and Bayesian statistical methods used to synthesise the effectiveness evidence from randomised control trials. A decision analytical model was developed to assess the costs and consequences associated with the primary outcome of the trials over a lifetime time horizon.

Main outcome measure: Costs from a health service perspective and outcomes measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

Results: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of RFCA varied between £7763 and £7910 for each additional QALY according to baseline risk of stroke, with a probability of being cost-effective from 0.98 to 0.99 for a cost-effectiveness threshold of £20 000. Results were sensitive to the duration of quality of life benefits from treatment.

Conclusions: RFCA is potentially cost-effective for the treatment of paroxysmal AF in patients’ predominantly refractory to AAD therapy provided the quality-of-life benefits from treatment are maintained for more than 5 years. These findings remain subject to limitations in the existing evidence regarding the nature of life benefits and the prognostic importance of restoring normal sinus rhythm conferred using RFCA.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Funding: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment Programme. The views expressed are those of the authors who are also responsible for any errors.

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