OBJECTIVES: Economic models are powerful tools to estimate the economic impact of a technology in each scenario. Nevertheless, the process of developing an economic evaluation to multiple scenarios can be a costly and timely consuming process and there is a raising necessity of adaptable cost-effectiveness tools to provide fast support to decision makers. In this context, the treatment costs related to cardiovascular diseases are often brought to the table: the chronic aspect of the conditions and the associated risk factors among other issues also rises attention to health care providers around the world. This study aims to present a calculator of cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis using the stroke prevention of atrial fibrillation patients who are contraindicated to oral anticoagulation as work model.

METHODS: The core structure of the calculator was an economic evaluation based on a Markov model comparing three options of treatment to stroke prevention (Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), and warfarin). As setup, it was built an epidemiological funnel to estimate eligible patients in any healthcare provider. Health expenditures and patient projections were estimated through large national health databases and validated by experts in the field.

RESULTS: A cost-effectiveness tool was developed, and the final prototype comprehended nine dashboards indicating: patient eligibility, QALY, ICER, total treatment costs, adverse events related costs, stroke treatment related costs, and hospital resource indicators (length of stay, number of hospital admissions and ICU use).

CONCLUSIONS: This project developed a cost-effectiveness calculator that can fast analyze any sample of patients and be adaptable to changes in prices according to the health care provider. This tool can be applied to other conditions and health care scenarios in Latin America.