Cost‐effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention with cobalt‐chromium everolimus eluting stents versus bare metal stents: Results from a patient level meta‐analysis of randomized trials

Background Second‐generation drug eluting stents (DES) may reduce costs and improve clinical outcomes compared to first‐generation DES with improved cost‐effectiveness when compared to bare metal stents (BMS). We aimed to conduct an economic evaluation of a cobalt‐chromium everolimus eluting stent (Co‐Cr EES) compared with BMS in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Objective To conduct a cost‐effectiveness analysis (CEA) of a cobalt‐chromium everolimus eluting stent (Co‐Cr EES) versus BMS in PCI. Methods A Markov state transition model with a 2‐year time horizon was applied from a US Medicare setting with patients undergoing PCI with Co‐Cr EES or BMS. Baseline characteristics, treatment effects, and safety measures were taken from a patient level meta‐analysis of 5 RCTs (n = 4,896). The base‐case analysis evaluated stent‐related outcomes; a secondary analysis considered the broader set of outcomes reported in the meta‐analysis. Results The base‐case and secondary analyses reported an additional 0.018 and 0.013 quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) and cost savings of $236 and $288, respectively with Co‐Cr EES versus BMS. Results were robust to sensitivity analyses and were most sensitive to the price of clopidogrel. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, Co‐Cr EES was associated with a greater than 99% chance of being cost saving or cost effective (at a cost per QALY threshold of $50,000) versus BMS. Conclusions Using data from a recent patient level meta‐analysis and contemporary cost data, this analysis found that PCI with Co‐Cr EES is more effective and less costly than PCI with BMS. © 2016 The Authors. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.