Cost-benefit analysis of early return to work after uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction

The economic consequences of an Occupational Work Evaluation designed to identify low risk patients recovering from uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and hasten their return to work was evaluated in randomized trial. Two hundred one employed, clinically low risk men recovering from AMI were randomized to undergo an intervention (intervention group, 99 patients) consisting of an Occupational Work Evaluation or to receive usual care (usual care group, 102 patients). The time to return to work was reduced from 75 days in usual care patients to 51 days in intervention patients (p 300,000 low risk, employed survivors of AMI annually in this country, the savings generated by the Occupational Work Evaluation could yield an annual economic benefit >800 million dollars.