Pulmonary vascular disease & thromboembolism

Impact of catheter-directed thrombolysis on the socio-economic burden of pulmonary embolism in Germany: a cost-effectiveness analysis

Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin OutcomesPublished cost-effectiveness analysis

Authors' conclusion

In selected patients with acute PE, catheter-directed interventions may improve patient outcomes while remaining within the acceptable cost-effectiveness threshold.

Study context

Population
Patients with intermediate- or high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) in Germany
Comparison
CDT vs. standard of care
Outcome
Life-years (LY) and quality-adjusted life years (QALY)
Follow-up
5-year time horizon
Methodological detailssystematic review and meta-analysis, dynamic budget impact analysis (BIA) model, healthcare provider’s (payer’s) and societal perspective, 5-year time horizon
  • Systematic review and meta-analysis
  • Dynamic budget impact analysis (BIA) model
  • Healthcare provider’s (payer’s) and societal perspective
  • 5-year time horizon

Pooled result

As reported in the abstract

GroupLife-years (LY)Quality-adjusted life years (QALY)
CDT4.133.58
Standard of care (SoC)3.903.38

Life-years (LY)

CDT4.13
Standard of care (SoC)3.90

Quality-adjusted life years (QALY)

CDT3.58
Standard of care (SoC)3.38

Further pooled results

OutcomeCDTSoC
Costs, societal perspectiveCosts were lower for CDT than for SoC€33 313€37 501

Incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR), payer’s perspective

ICUR for CDT
€27 349 per QALY

Sensitivity and subgroup analyses

Cost-effectiveness of CDT confirmed in patients with intermediate-risk PE
Cost-effectiveness persisted when only randomized controlled trials were considered
Probabilistic analysis confirmed the robustness of the model

Budget impact analysis

Despite higher upfront treatment costs of CDT in the acute phase, cost savings can be expected in the long term

Original publication

Impact of catheter-directed thrombolysis on the socio-economic burden of pulmonary embolism in Germany: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 19 January 2026. doi:10.1093/ehjqcco/qcag003

Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →

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