Conducting an economic analysis to assess the electrocardiogram's value

Health economic analyses seek to assess the relative value (cost vs health benefit trade-offs) of medical technologies. However, these methods have been underused in studies of the electrocardiogram (ECG). We develop a framework for the economic evaluation of the ECG as a decision support tool within broader treatment strategies. We then apply this framework to the development of an economic study protocol for the Prehospital Wireless Transmission of Electrocardiograms to a Cardiologist via a Hand-held Device Multicenter study. Our framework defines key cost-effectiveness concepts and describes alternative methods for estimating medical costs and health benefits. We demonstrate how this framework has been applied to develop the Prehospital Wireless Transmission of Electrocardiograms to a Cardiologist via a Hand-held Device Multicenter economic protocol. The conduct of health economic studies alongside ECG clinical studies could provide important information for those seeking to promote newer ECG applications that require significant financial investments.