An economic evaluation of first-line cryoballoon ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation from a Danish healthcare perspective
Authors: Lock Hansen M , Moss J , Tonnesen J , Lundsby Johansen M , Kuniss M , Ismyrloglou E , Andrade J , Wazni O , Mealing S , Sale A , Afonso D , Bromilow T , Lane E , Chierchia G B 
Published: May 2024

Background

As demonstrated in three randomized clinical trials (RCTs), initial rhythm control with first-line pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using cryoballoon ablation decreases atrial arrhythmia recurrence compared to antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

Purpose

To assess the cost-effectiveness of first-line cryoablation versus first-line AADs in a Danish healthcare setting.

Methods

Data from 703 participants with symptomatic PAF enrolled into Cryo-FIRST, STOP AF First and EARLY-AF RCTs were used to estimate risk equations (rate of ablation, AF recurrence and resolution, AF-related hospital attendance in addition to health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) utilities). These were then incorporated into a cost-effectiveness model (CEM) . The Danish cost data was derived from published Danish literature, DRG tariffs and pharmaceutical list prices in Denmark. Where parameters could not be derived, inputs were sourced from published literature or expert opinion.

The CEM consisted of a decision tree (one-year time horizon) and a Markov model (three-month cycle length) hybrid, with a lifetime (40 years) time horizon. The CEM is from the perspective of the Danish healthcare system. Health benefits were expressed in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and all costs and benefits were discounted at 3%. As there is no official cost-effectiveness threshold in Denmark, the UK threshold of £20,000 (~€23,200) was assumed. Input uncertainty within the CEM was explored using probabilistic sensitivity analysis. The results presented include data from the initial 12-week blanking period for all studies.

Results

The three-monthly rate of AF symptom recurrence had a reduction, on average, of 46.7% (p&lt;0.001) in those treated with cryoablation. In addition, the cryoablation arm had a 72.8% (p&lt;0.001) reduction in the monthly rate of receiving an ablation following initial treatment. The average cryoablation patient was also associated with a 4.3% (p=0.025) increase in their HRQoL. Finally, there was no difference in the rate of AF symptom resolution in those who failed initial treatment.

Base case results per patient are presented in Table 1. Cryoablation was shown to be dominant when compared to AADs (0.159 more QALYs and €2,519 less costly), with a 99.96% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of ~€23,200 per QALY gained. Individuals in both arms of the model were also expected to receive ~1.2 ablations over a lifetime horizon. Nonetheless, there was a 45% relative reduction in time spent in symptomatic AF states for individuals who were initially treated with cryoablation. Scenario analysis results are presented in Table 2. Cryoablation remained cost-effective over AADs in all scenarios conducted.

Conclusions

Initial rhythm control with cryoballoon ablation is cost-effective (dominant) when compared to AADs in the Danish healthcare system.Table 1:Key results (per patient)Table 2.Deterministic scenario analysis