Abstract

Background

Cryoablation is a new technology for ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), effective and safe when compared with standard radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Nevertheless, the economic impact of its incorporation is unknown, especially considering the public health system of a developing country. This study analyzed the budget impact of cryoablation incorporation for treatment of paroxysmal AF in the Brazilian public health system.

Methods

The budget impact was calculated as the cost difference between the current scenario (RF ablation guided by electroanatomic mapping) and the new scenario (cryoablation). The cost of each intervention was obtained by multiplying the price of a single procedure by the number of candidates for it. Other technologies (RF ablation guided by intracardiac echocardiography or with a nonirrigated catheter) were considered in a sensitivity analysis.

Results

The budget impact showed savings of $43 097 096.84 with cryoablation. In the sensitivity analysis, cryoablation resulted in cost savings compared with RF ablation guided by intracardiac echocardiography, whereas in comparison to RF ablation with the nonirrigated catheter, cryoablation was more expensive. A market share assessment, performed using an incorporation rate of 3% per year, indicated savings of approximately $800 000 per 5 years.

Conclusions

Cryoablation of AF resulted in cost savings compared with the current scenario (RF ablation guided by electroanatomic mapping). When alternative technologies were considered, cryoablation was more expensive than RF ablation with a nonirrigated catheter, but it also resulted in savings compared with RF ablation guided by intracardiac echocardiography. Overall, cryoablation of AF may reduce expenditures in the Brazilian public health system.