Economic evaluation and analysis of the budget effect of the measuring of fractional flow reserve in Bulgaria

Abstract

Introduction: Fractional fl ow reserve (FFR) implies the ratio of the maximal hyperemic myocardial blood fl ow in the case of a pathologically changed coronary artery to the maximal hyperemic myocardial blood fl ow in the case of a healthy coronary artery. Aims: The aim of the current study is to perform an economic evaluation and budget impact analysis of measuring FFR as a medical activity in Bulgaria. Material and Methods: For the purpose of the current analysis, two models using Microsoft Excel and TreeAge Pro were developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared to the classic angiography-guided PCI in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) with one-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) or multivessel CAD. The analysis will focus on the health perspective and the payer perspective - National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Results: The medico-diagnostic activity related to measuring FFR in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease is shown to be a cost-effective therapeutic approach in Bulgaria compared to the angiography-guided PCI (ICER = 50 456 BGN/QALY) with a cost-effectiveness threshold of 51 510 BGN/QALY. FFR- guided PCI strategy in one-vessel coronary artery disease patients is a cost-saving approach (-853 BGN) when compared to the angiography-guided PCI (4 150 BGN). Conclusion: Budget impact analysis revealed that the FFR-guided PCI strategy is a cost-saving alternative approach to the angiographyguided PCI. The savings of the NHIF during the fi rst year of reimbursement of FFR would be -1,1 million BGN and could reach -1,6 million BGN in the third year.