scholarly journals Budget Impact Analysis of Anticoagulation Clinics in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation under Chronic Therapy with Oral Anticoagulants

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110002
Author(s):  
William Uribe-Arango ◽  
Juan Manuel Reyes Sánchez ◽  
Natalia Castaño Gamboa

Objectives To assess budget impact of the implementation of an anticoagulation clinic (AC) compared to usual care (UC), in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Method A decision tree was designed to analyze the cost and events rates over a 1-year horizon. The patients were distributed according to treatment, 30% Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC) regimens and the rest to warfarin. The thromboembolism and bleeding were derived from observational studies which demonstrated that ACs had important impact in reducing the frequency of these events compared with UC, due to higher adherence with DOACs and proportion of time in therapeutic range (TTR) with warfarin. Costs were derived from the transactional platform of Colombian government, healthcare authority reimbursement and published studies. The values were expressed in American dollars (USD). The exchanged rate used was COP $3.693 per dollar. Results During 1 year of follow-up, in a cohort of 228 patients there were estimated 48 bleedings, 6 thromboembolisms in AC group versus 84 bleedings, and 12 thromboembolisms events in patients receiving UC. Total costs related to AC were $126 522 compared with $141 514 in UC. The AC had an important reduction in the cost of clinical events versus UC ($52 085 vs $110 749) despite a higher cost of care facilities ($74 436 vs $30 765). A sensibility analysis suggested that in the 83% of estimations, the AC produced savings varied between $27 078 and $135 391. Conclusions This study demonstrated that AC compared with UC, produced an important savings in the oral anticoagulation therapy for patients with NVAF.

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-131
Author(s):  
Francesco Mennini ◽  
Sergio Russo ◽  
Andrea Marcellusi

Background: atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of alteration in cardiac rhythm and associated with more severe episodes of stroke. Treatment with oral anticoagulants vitamin K antagonists (VKA) such as warfarin, is nowadays the therapy of choice for stroke prevention in patients with AF, but dabigatran etexilate (DE) 150 mg twice daily was more clinically effective than warfarin in reducing the risk of stroke or systemic embolism, ischaemic stroke and vascular mortality whereas DE 110 mg twice daily was non-inferior to warfarin.Aim: to assess the affordability of the use of DE for the Italian NHS, in patients with non-valvular AF (NVAF) through a budget impact analysis (BIA).Methods: the BIA in a timeframe of 5 years was divided into 3 scenarios (1: current management of patients with NVAF; 2: all patients with NVAF treated with VKA; 3: all patients with NVAF treated with DE). The population considered is the one with indication for anticoagulation. Analysis is from the NHS perspective: therefore, indirect costs are excluded.Results: the underuse of oral anticoagulation, associated with the difficulty in keeping the patients treated with VKA within an acceptable therapeutic range, results in an enormous social and human cost, represented by a total of more than 63,000 strokes cumulated in the 5-year period considered. The cumulative cost for the scenario 1 over the 5-year period is over € 2.3 billion. In the scenario 2 the number of strokes avoided per year increases by -5,219 compared to no treatment (-2,368 compared to scenario 1), although the number of events remains high (about 10,000 events/year). In the 5-year observation period the scenario 2 would result in a reduction in the total number of strokes (-12,323 events vs. scenario 1), and savings for the NHS of around 95 million Euros compared to scenario 1. In the Scenario 3 there is a reduction of more than 38,600 of the total cumulative number of strokes vs. the scenario 1 and over 26,200 vs. scenario 2, and savings for the NHS at the fifth year of observation of circa 174 million Euros vs. scenario 1 and 123 million Euros vs. scenario 2.Conclusion: DE in Italy is economically sustainable, as it allows savings for the NHS in the management of patients with NVAF from the second year vs. no treatment and vs. treatment with VKA


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (15) ◽  
pp. 3212
Author(s):  
Fabiana Lucà ◽  
Simona Giubilato ◽  
Stefania Angela Di Fusco ◽  
Laura Piccioni ◽  
Carmelo Massimiliano Rao ◽  
...  

The therapeutic dilemma between rhythm and rate control in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is still unresolved and electrical or pharmacological cardioversion (CV) frequently represents a useful strategy. The most recent guidelines recommend anticoagulation according to individual thromboembolic risk. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been routinely used to prevent thromboembolic events. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) represent a significant advance due to their more predictable therapeutic effect and more favorable hemorrhagic risk profile. In hemodynamically unstable patients, an emergency electrical cardioversion (ECV) must be performed. In this situation, intravenous heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) should be administered before CV. In patients with AF occurring within less than 48 h, synchronized direct ECV should be the elective procedure, as it restores sinus rhythm quicker and more successfully than pharmacological cardioversion (PCV) and is associated with shorter length of hospitalization. Patients with acute onset AF were traditionally considered at lower risk of thromboembolic events due to the shorter time for atrial thrombus formation. In patients with hemodynamic stability and AF for more than 48 h, an ECV should be planned after at least 3 weeks of anticoagulation therapy. Alternatively, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to rule out left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) should be performed, followed by ECV and anticoagulation for at least 4 weeks. Theoretically, the standardized use of TEE before CV allows a better stratification of thromboembolic risk, although data available to date are not univocal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2924
Author(s):  
Domenico Acanfora ◽  
Marco Matteo Ciccone ◽  
Valentina Carlomagno ◽  
Pietro Scicchitano ◽  
Chiara Acanfora ◽  
...  

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents an independent risk factor for chronic AF and is associated with unfavorable outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), with and without diabetes mellitus (DM), using a new risk index (RI) defined as: RI =Rate of EventsRate of Patients at Risk. In particular, an RI lower than 1 suggests a favorable treatment effect. We searched MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process, EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The risk index (RI) was calculated in terms of efficacy (rate of stroke/systemic embolism (stroke SEE)/rate of patients with and without DM; rate of cardiovascular death/rate of patients with and without DM) and safety (rate of major bleeding/rate of patients with and without DM) outcomes. AF patients with DM (n = 22,057) and 49,596 without DM were considered from pivotal trials. DM doubles the risk index for stroke/SEE, major bleeding (MB), and cardiovascular (CV) death. The RI for stroke/SEE, MB, and CV death was comparable in patients treated with warfarin or DOACs. The lowest RI was in DM patients treated with Rivaroxaban (stroke/SEE, RI = 0.08; CV death, RI = 0.13). The RIs for bleeding were higher in DM patients treated with Dabigatran (RI110 = 0.32; RI150 = 0.40). Our study is the first to use RI to homogenize the efficacy and safety data reported in the DOACs pivotal studies against warfarin in patients with and without DM. Anticoagulation therapy is effective and safe in DM patients. DOACs appear to have a better efficacy and safety profile than warfarin. The use of DOACs is a reasonable alternative to vitamin-K antagonists in AF patients with DM. The RI can be a reasonable tool to help clinicians choose between DOACs or warfarin in the peculiar set of AF patients with DM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Denas ◽  
G Costa ◽  
E Ferroni ◽  
N Gennaro ◽  
U Fedeli ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Anticoagulation therapy is central for the management of stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Persistence with oral anticoagulation is essential to prevent thromboembolic complications. Purpose To assess persistence levels of DOACs and look for possible predictors of treatment discontinuity in NVAF patients. Methods We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study in the Veneto Region (north-eastern Italy, about 5 million inhabitants) using the regional health system databases. Naïve patients initiating direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for stroke prevention in NVAF from July 2013 to September 2017 were included in the study. Patients were identified using Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) codes, excluding other indications for anticoagulation therapy using ICD-9CM codes. Treatment persistence was defined as the time from initiation to discontinuation of the therapy. Baseline characteristics and comorbidities associated to the persistence of therapy with DOACs were explored by means of Kaplan-Meier curves and assessed through Cox regression. Results Overall, 17920 patients initiated anticoagulation with DOACs in the study period. Most patients were older than 74 years old, while gender was almost equally represented. Comorbidities included hypertension (72%), diabetes mellitus (17%), congestive heart failure (9%), previous stroke/TIA (20%), and prior myocardial infarction (2%). After one year, the persistence to anticoagulation treatment was 82.7%, while the persistence to DOAC treatment was 72.9% with about 10% of the discontinuations being due to switch to VKAs. On multivariate analysis, factors negatively affecting persistence were female gender, younger age (<65 years), renal disease and history of bleeding. Conversely, persistence was better in patients with hypertension, previous cerebral ischemic events, and previous acute myocardial infarction. Persistence to DOAC therapy Conclusion This real-world data show that within 12 months, one out of four anticoagulation-naïve patients stop DOACs, while one out of five patients stop anticoagulation. Efforts should be made to correct modifiable predictors and intensify patient education.


Author(s):  
Michael W Cullen ◽  
Sunghee Kim ◽  
Jonathan P Piccini ◽  
Alan S Go ◽  
Gregg C Fonarow ◽  
...  

Background Oral anticoagulation (OAC) can reduce stroke risk at the cost of increased bleeding risk in those with atrial fibrillation (AF). Observational data have shown that higher-risk patients with AF most likely to benefit from OAC are less likely to receive OAC at hospital discharge. Methods We used data from ORBIT-AF Registry, a cohort of 9,589 AF patients enrolled among 173 participating outpatient practices. OAC was defined as warfarin or dabigatran use at study enrollment. Stroke and bleeding risk were calculated using the CHADS2 and ATRIA scores, respectively. Results The study population had a mean age of 73.5 years; 57.8% were men. Overall, 76.4% of patients received OAC. Use of OAC rose with increasing CHADS2 stroke risk, from 67% for CHADS2 <1 to 80% for CHADS2 ≥2 (p<0.0001). OAC use fell slightly with increasing ATRIA bleeding risk, from 77% for ATRIA score ≤3 to 74% with ≥5 (p=0.002 for trend). Among patients with low bleeding risk, rates of OAC increased commensurate with stroke risk (p<0.0001 for interaction; see figure). Higher bleeding risk tended to decrease rates of OAC among patients with a CHADS2 score ≥2 (p=0.13 for interaction). Conclusions In community-based outpatients with AF, use of OAC rose with increasing thromboembolic risk and declined with higher bleeding risk. These findings suggest that the risk-treatment paradox may be less that previously reported. Provision of OAC in community practice appears to appropriately consider patients' stroke and bleeding risks. Further research is required to understand how quality improvement initiatives can further improve stroke prevention.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Godwin D Giebel

BACKGROUND With an estimated prevalence of around 3% and an about 2.5-fold increased risk of stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF) is a serious threat for patients and a high economic burden for health care systems all over the world. Patients with AF could benefit from screening through mobile health (mHealth) devices. Thus, an early diagnosis is possible with mHealth devices, and the risk for stroke can be markedly reduced by using anticoagulation therapy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to assess the cost-effectiveness of algorithm-based screening for AF with the aid of photoplethysmography wrist-worn mHealth devices. Even if prevented strokes and prevented deaths from stroke are the most relevant patient outcomes, direct costs were defined as the primary outcome. METHODS A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted based on a developed state-transition model; 30,000 patients for each CHA<sub>2</sub>DS<sub>2</sub>-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age≥75 years, Diabetes mellitus, Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65-74 years, Sex category [female]) score from 1 to 9 were simulated. The first simulation served to estimate the economic burden of AF without the use of mHealth devices. The second simulation served to simulate the economic burden of AF with the use of mHealth devices. Afterwards, the groups were compared in terms of costs, prevented strokes, and deaths from strokes. RESULTS The CHA<sub>2</sub>DS<sub>2</sub>-VASc score as well as the electrocardiography (ECG) confirmation rate had the biggest impact on costs as well as number of strokes. The higher the risk score, the lower were the costs per prevented stroke. Higher ECG confirmation rates intensified this effect. The effect was not seen in groups with lower risk scores. Over 10 years, the use of mHealth (assuming a 75% ECG confirmation rate) resulted in additional costs (€1=US $1.12) of €441, €567, €536, €520, €606, €625, €623, €692, and €847 per patient for a CHA<sub>2</sub>DS<sub>2</sub>-VASc score of 1 to 9, respectively. The number of prevented strokes tended to be higher in groups with high risk for stroke. Higher ECG confirmation rates led to higher numbers of prevented strokes. The use of mHealth (assuming a 75% ECG confirmation rate) resulted in 25 (7), –68 (–54), 98 (–5), 266 (182), 346 (271), 642 (440), 722 (599), 1111 (815), and 1116 (928) prevented strokes (fatal) for CHA<sub>2</sub>DS<sub>2</sub>-VASc score of 1 to 9, respectively. Higher device accuracy in terms of sensitivity led to even more prevented fatal strokes. CONCLUSIONS The use of mHealth devices to screen for AF leads to increased costs but also a reduction in the incidence of stroke. In particular, in patients with high CHA<sub>2</sub>DS<sub>2</sub>-VASc scores, the risk for stroke and death from stroke can be markedly reduced.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-53
Author(s):  
Anna Emilia Chwalisz ◽  
◽  
Grażyna Chojnacka-Kowalewska ◽  

Introduction. In modern therapy of patients with atrial fibrillation, which belongs to the group particularly at risk of stroke, prophylactic anticoagulation is of primary importance. The initiation and subsequent proper monitoring of long-term anticoagulation therapy is very important for this group of patients. The use of oral anticoagulants significantly reduces the risk of ischemic stroke, and thus ensures longer survival and avoidance of permanent disability among patients with atrial fibrillation. Aim. Assessment of the level of knowledge of patients with atrial fibrillation on thromboprophylaxis in internal departments and cardiology of the Provin-cial Specialist Hospital in Włocławek. Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 100 people (63 men and 37 women) with diagnosed atrial fibrillation, taking oral anticoagulants. The research tool was the author's questionnaire. To assess the risk of ischem-ic stroke in this group of patients, the CHA2DS2-VASc scale was used and ques-tions about these factors were included in the survey. Results. Studies show that anticoagulant prophylaxis in the form of oral anti-coagulants is used in every patient with diagnosed atrial fibrillation. Most pa-tients use new generation drugs (NOAC) that do not require dose adjustment based on a normalized INR. Persistent atrial fibrillation was found in 51% of the patients. The most numerous group were patients in the 65-74 age range. The annual risk of stroke in my subjects was on average 11%. In most cases, patients correctly answered questions about the rules of conduct when using oral anticoagulants, factors that increase and weaken the effects of these drugs and the symptoms of their overdose. There were no significant differences in the level of knowledge between the women and men studied, while younger, better educated patients who declared a very good or satisfactory material situ-ation showed more knowledge. Conclusions. The study showed that the level of patients' knowledge about antithrombotic prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation is at a good level and corresponds to current medical knowledge.


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