RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the effect of amlodipine on the hospitalizations for cardiovascular events (CVE) and their associated costs in patients with ischemic cardiopathy. METHODS: Data from the multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled PREVENT (Prospective Randomized Evaluation of the Vascular Effects of Norvasc Trial) clinical trial were utilized. A tree-type model of decision was used in order to analyze the incremental costs expected from the treatment with amlodipine with regard to placebo. Hospitalization costs were estimated with regard to the DRG weights of the American Medicare adapted for the costs of average stay available in our environment. RESULTS: Amlodipine reduced significantly the incidence of CVE that required hospitalization in contrast to placebo; 0.60 +/- 1.16 versus 0.77 +/- 1.31 (average +/- SD), p < 0.05. The expected direct expenses due to hospitalizations were higher in the placebo group than in the amlodipine group (saving of 205.76 Euro/patient). Total cost for patient in the amlodipine group was 1,723.52 Euro while in the placebo group was 1,929.28 Euro. When the relation cost/price shifted in the sensitivity analysis from 1.20 to 0.66 (cost of every hospitalization ranged between + 20% and -34%), the saving fluctuated from 330.56 Euro to 0. Accordingly, the breakeven point of the cost/price relation it is 0.66, and above this the treatment with amlodipine still generates savings in regard to its cost. CONCLUSIONS: Amlodipine is cost-effective in the treatment of the patients with ischemic cardiopathy, being able to reduce the hospital costs related to ischemic episodes in this type of patients.
