Health Economic Impact of a Pulmonary Artery Pressure Sensor for Heart Failure Telemonitoring: A Dynamic Simulation

Abstract

Aims: Recently, a permanently implantable wireless system, designed to monitor and manage pulmonary artery (PA) pressures remotely, demonstrated significant reductions in heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in high-risk symptomatic patients, regardless of ejection fraction. The objectives of this study were to simulate the estimated clinical and economic impact in Germany of generalized use of this PA pressure monitoring system considering reductions of HF hospitalizations and the improvement in Quality of Life.

Materials and methods: Based on the Prospective Health Technology Assessment approach, we simulated the potential of the widespread application of PA pressure monitoring on the German healthcare system for the period 2009-2021.

Results: This healthcare economic simulation formulated input assumptions based on results from the CHAMPION Trial, a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled U.S. trial that demonstrated a 37% reduction of hospitalizations in persistently symptomatic previous HF patients. Based on these results, an estimated 114,800 hospitalizations would expected to be avoided. This effect would potentially save an estimated €522 million, an equivalent of $575 million, during the entire simulation period.

Conclusion: This healthcare economic modeling of the PA pressure monitoring system's impact demonstrates substantial clinical and economic benefits in the German healthcare system.

Keywords: cardiology/cardiovascular disease; home health monitoring; telecardiology; telehealth; telemedicine.