The objective of this study was to perform a theoretical cost-efficacy analysis on the use of routine functional testing with perfusion imaging to identify patients with asymptomatic restenosis following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures. Approximately 50% of patients with restenosis following PTCA are asymptomatic. Routine functional testing is commonly performed at 3 to 6 months to identify these patients. The cost-efficacy associated with this strategy is unknown. Theoretical models were constructed based on assumed costs for functional testing (U.S. $1,300) and coronary angiography (U.S. $3,000). Restenosis rates were assumed to be 40%, and half of patients with restenosis were assumed to be asymptomatic. To provide a range of costs to identify a patient with asymptomatic restenosis, three scenarios were constructed based on the diagnostic test characteristics of functional testing. Sensitivity analyses were performed using a range of costs for functional testing, restenosis rates, and proportion of patients with restenosis who are asymptomatic. Depending on the diagnostic accuracy of functional testing, it costs $8,200 to $22,400 to identify an asymptomatic patient with restenosis following PTCA. The cost to identify a patient with asymptomatic restenosis varies inversely with the rates of restenosis. When restenosis rates are < 20%, the cost to identify a patient with asymptomatic restenosis exceeds $10,000. Similarly, the cost to identify a patient with asymptomatic restenosis increases when the proportion of patients with asymptomatic restenosis decreases. The cost, associated with the use of routine functional testing for the identification of asymptomatic patients with restenosis appears exorbitant. However, a formal study is warranted to determine the cost-efficacy of such a strategy. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 48:352-356, 1999.
Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.