DiagnosticsSYNTAX Analysis Finds Treatment With TAXUS(R) Express2(R) Stent System More Cost Effective Than Bypass Surgery In Patients With Complex Artery Disease
Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announced results from an analysis of economic and quality of life outcomes, based on one-year data from its landmark SYNTAX trial. The results found that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using the TAXUS(R) Express2(R) Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System was consistently associated with fewer patient hospital days during the first year after treatment compared to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Total medical costs at one year were also lower with PCI. Analysis of the data was presented by Ben van Hout, Ph.D., of the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands, at the annual EuroPCR Scientific Program in Barcelona.
"This analysis demonstrates that although hospitalization patterns vary by country, PCI patients consistently benefit from shorter hospital stays during the first year following treatment, as compared to CABG patients," said Dr. van Hout. "This analysis will be especially helpful to physicians and hospital administrators as they consider the most cost-effective course of treatment for these complex patients."
"Today"s findings reinforce previously announced results on economic and quality of life data from the SYNTAX trial," said Keith D. Dawkins, M.D., Associate Chief Medical Officer of Boston Scientific. "The data show that PCI benefits patients and the health care system overall with shorter hospital stays, increased quality adjusted life years and lower total costs. When coupled with safety and efficacy data from the larger SYNTAX data set, this analysis supports PCI as a cost-effective treatment option for these challenging patients."
The SYNTAX economic analysis compared quality of life outcomes using standardized health outcome measures(1) and re utilization associated with PCI and CABG surgery in patients in 11 European countries and the U.S. who qualified for one or the other revascularization option. The results indicated a short-term benefit for PCI versus CABG surgery, with no significant difference at one year, but with a gain in quality adjusted life years (QALY) of 0.02 in favor of PCI.
The analysis also included a detailed calculation of total medical costs at one year for all patients treated in the U.K., the country with the largest cohort of patients. Total costs included the initial procedure, all hospitalizations, repeat procedures and medication. Although initial procedure costs were similar (4,201 pounds Sterling for PCI vs. 4,246 pounds Sterling for CABG), total medical costs for PCI were 25 percent lower than CABG at one year (8,295 pounds Sterling PCI vs. 11,101 pounds Sterling CABG, pCautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
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(1) The measure used was the EuroQoL EQ-5D, which assesses patient mobility, self care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression.
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