Document Detail


Cost-effectiveness analysis of diagnostic strategies for suspected pulmonary embolism including helical computed tomography.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12502474     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
We performed a formal decision analysis to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various strategies for pulmonary embolism, including helical computed tomography (CT), and determined the most cost-effective schemes for each clinical probability of pulmonary embolism. Other tests included D-dimer (DD), lower limb venous ultrasound (US), ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan, and angiography. Outcome measures were 3-month survival and costs per patient managed. Baseline sensitivity of CT was 70%, corresponding to the performance of single-detector CT, and that figure was raised in sensitivity analysis to account for the expected higher sensitivity of newer multidetector CT scanners. All strategies were compared with a reference strategy, namely the V/Q scan in all patients followed when nondiagnostic by an angiogram. For low clinical probability patients, the most cost-effective strategy was DD, US, and V/Q scan, patients with a nondiagnostic V/Q scan being left untreated. Replacing V/Q scan by CT was also cost-effective. For intermediate and high clinical probability patients, a fourth test must be added, either CT or angiography in patients with nondiagnostic V/Q scan, or angiography in patients with a negative helical CT. When using sensitivity figures above 85% (in the multidetector range), DD, US, and CT became the most cost-effective strategy for all clinical probability categories. Helical CT as a single test was not cost-effective. In summary, including helical CT in diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism is cost-effective provided that it is combined with DD and US. In contrast, helical CT as a single test is not cost-effective.
Authors:
Arnaud Perrier; Mathieu R Nendaz; François P Sarasin; Nigel Howarth; Henri Bounameaux
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine     Volume:  167     ISSN:  1073-449X     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.     Publication Date:  2003 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-12-27     Completed Date:  2003-02-13     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9421642     Medline TA:  Am J Respir Crit Care Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  39-44     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Medical Clinic 1, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland. arnaud.perrier@medecine.unige.ch
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Angiography
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Decision Trees
Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / analysis
Humans
Leg / blood supply
Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tomography, Spiral Computed / economics*
Ultrasonography
Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; 0/fibrin fragment D
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004 Jan 1;169(1):129; author reply 129-30   [PMID:  14695108 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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