• Andrew J Clegg, David A Scott, Emma Loveman, Jill L Colquitt, Pam Royle, and Jackie Bryant.
• Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre (SHTAC), Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development (WIHRD), University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK. a.clegg@soton.ac.uk
• Eur. Heart J. 2006 Dec 1; 27 (24): 2929-38.

AimsTo evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of left ventricular (LV) assist devices (LVADs) as a bridge to transplant (BTT) for people with end-stage heart failure (ESHF) through a systematic review and economic evaluation.Methods And ResultsThe systematic review and economic evaluation was conducted according to internationally recognized methods. The search strategy identified systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and observational studies evaluating the effects of LVADs on survival, functional capacity, and quality of life. Cost-effectiveness was assessed through a 5-year decision analytic model to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of LVADs compared with usual care. Despite the poor methodological quality of the 18 studies included, LVADs appear beneficial improving survival, functional status, and quality of life. Adverse events are a serious concern. The economic evaluation showed that LVADs had a cost per quality adjusted life year of pound 65,242 (95% confidence interval pound 34,194-364,564). Sensitivity analysis showed that post-heart transplant survival gains, pre-heart transplant patient utility, and one-off costs associated with implantation determine cost-effectiveness.ConclusionAlthough LVADs appear clinically effective as a BTT for people with ESHF, it is unlikely that they will be cost-effective unless costs decrease or the benefits of their use increase.

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