Original Research15 November 2016
    Author, Article and Disclosure Information
    Background:

    Sacubitril–valsartan therapy reduces cardiovascular mortality compared with enalapril therapy in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

    Objective:

    To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sacubitril–valsartan versus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy in patients with chronic heart failure.

    Design:

    Markov decision model.

    Data Sources:

    Clinical trials, observational analyses, reimbursement data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, drug pricing databases, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention life tables.

    Target Population:

    Patients at an average age of 64 years, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II to IV heart failure, and left ventricular ejection fraction of 0.40 or less.

    Time Horizon:

    Lifetime.

    Perspective:

    Societal.

    Intervention:

    Treatment with sacubitril–valsartan or lisinopril.

    Outcome Measures:

    Life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs, heart failure hospitalizations, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.

    Results of Base-Case Analysis:

    The sacubitril–valsartan group experienced 0.08 fewer heart failure hospitalization, 0.69 additional life-year, 0.62 additional QALY, and $29 203 in incremental costs, equating to a cost per QALY gained of $47 053. The cost per QALY gained was $44 531 in patients with NYHA class II heart failure and $58 194 in those with class III or IV heart failure.

    Results of Sensitivity Analysis:

    Sacubitril–valsartan treatment was most sensitive to the duration of improved outcomes, with a cost per QALY gained of $120 623 if the duration was limited to the length of the trial (median, 27 months). No variations in other parameters caused the cost to exceed $100 000 per QALY gained.

    Limitation:

    The benefit of sacubitril–valsartan is based on a single clinical trial.

    Conclusion:

    Treatment with sacubitril–valsartan provides reasonable value in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with NYHA class II to IV heart failure.

    Primary Funding Source:

    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Institute for Clinical and Economic Review.

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