Cost-Effectiveness of Left Ventricular Assist Device for Transplant-Ineligible Patients

This article examined patients in Singapore who were ineligible for transplantation and evaluated the cost-effectiveness of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) use compared to optimal medical therapy. The authors found that LVAD use resulted in higher quality-adjusted survival for the transplant-ineligible population; however, its value varied based on inotrope dependance. Patients who were inotrope dependent were found to have more cost-effective use of LVADs compared to those who were inotrope independent. The authors suggest that this information could be utilized to adjust device prices nationally as part of public health initiatives.