Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Cost-effectiveness of digoxin versus beta blockers in permanent atrial fibrillation: the Rate Control Therapy Evaluation in Permanent Atrial Fibrillation (RATE-AF) randomised trial
Primary result · Costs per patient per yearResult — go to the resultMean saving £530.41 per patient per year 95% CI -£848.06 to -£249.38Authors' conclusion
Digoxin is a less costly option when compared with beta-blockers for control of heart rate in suitable patients with permanent AF, with larger cost-effectiveness studies warranted to advise on national and global policy-making.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) and symptoms of heart failurerandomised, mean age 76 (SD 8) years, 46% women, 149 had complete data and survived to 12-month follow-up
- Participants
- 160 patients
- Comparison
- Low-dose digoxin with beta-blockers
- Digoxinn = 73
- Beta blockersn = 76
Methodological detailsembedded in the UK National Health Service (NHS), trial-based cost-utility analysis, healthcare perspective over 12 months
- Embedded in the UK National Health Service (NHS)
- Trial-based cost-utility analysis
- Healthcare perspective over 12 months
Primary result
Costs per patient per year · 12 months
Mean saving
£530.41 per patient per year
95% CI -£848.06 to -£249.38
P = 0.001
As reported in the abstract
Further findings
Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) · 12 months
- No significant difference in QALYs
- 0.013; 95% CI −0.033 to 0.052, p=0.56
Probability of digoxin being cost-effective at £20 000 per-QALY willingness to pay threshold
- Probability digoxin cost-effective vs beta-blockers
- 94%
- Potential annual savings to the NHS
- £102 million/year (95% CI £48 million to £164 million saving, p=0.001)
Original publication
Cost-effectiveness of digoxin versus beta blockers in permanent atrial fibrillation: the Rate Control Therapy Evaluation in Permanent Atrial Fibrillation (RATE-AF) randomised trial. Heart. Published 16 January 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →