Heart failure & cardiomyopathiesResearch article
First systematic screening of cardiac amyloidosis in the elderly: findings and cost-effectiveness profile
- systematic screening
- cost-effectiveness analyses
Authors' conclusion
A structured screening programme for CA in elderly subjects can uncover important comorbidities but remains expensive, with an incremental cost of approximately €39 000-€94 000 per QALY; the overall value of such a strategy will therefore depend on tafamidis pricing and the willingness-to-pay threshold adopted by individual health systems.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals aged 65–90 yearsindividuals screened
- Participants
- 1,000 individuals
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
New cases of ATTRwt-CA
Four new cases of ATTRwt-CA diagnosed
0.46%
Further findings
Previously unknown Stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease
- Share of participants
- 15.6%
- Additional findings included moderate-to-severe valvular disease and conduction abnormalities requiring device implantation
Costs
- Total non-drug screening cost
- around €252 000
- Tafamidis (5 years, four patients) added
- €1 080 000
Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER)
- Excluding incidental benefits
- around €94 000 per QALY
- With an estimated 15-20 extra quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) from incidental findings
- €39 000-€46 000 per QALY
Original publication
First systematic screening of cardiac amyloidosis in the elderly: findings and cost-effectiveness profile. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 2 January 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjqcco/qcaf166
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it