• Evelyn Walter and Matthias Heringlake.
• IPF Institute for Pharmaeconomic Research, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: e.walter@ipf-ac.at.
• J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. 2020 Apr 1; 34 (4): 888-897.

ObjectivesLandiolol is an ultrashort-acting beta-blocker with high beta-1 receptor affinity and less blood pressure-lowering properties than other beta-blockers available for intravenous use in Germany. The present analysis aimed to determine whether perioperative treatment with landiolol in cardiac surgical patients is cost-effective under the conditions of the German Diagnosis-Related Groups health cost reimbursement system.DesignOn the basis of clinical outcome data from a meta-analysis that included 622 patients from 7 randomized controlled trials, a decision-model was developed to determine the cost-effectiveness of landiolol versus standard-of-care (SoC).SettingHospital setting.ParticipantsHospital patients undergoing a representative mix of cardiac surgical procedures (MIX-CS) and isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).InterventionsLandiolol versus SoC in prevention of atrial fibrillation immediately after cardiac surgery.Measurements And Main ResultsThe model benefit was expressed in a reduction of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) episodes and reduced complications. The model calculated total inpatient costs over the hospital length of stay. Costs from published sources were used for the German hospital perspective. SoC was associated with POAF rates of 36.0% to 39.2% and 24.4% to 30.1% in the MIX-CS and CABG populations, respectively. Patients with POAF had a higher morbidity and mortality. Estimated total costs for SoC patients in the MIX-CS and CABG groups were 28.792 € and 25.630 €, respectively. Landiolol reduced the incidence of POAF to 12.6% in the MIX-CS and 12.1% in the CABG groups. This was associated with a cost reduction of 2.209 € and 1.470 €.ConclusionsThis analysis suggests that preventing POAF with landiolol is highly cost-effective. Additional studies are needed to assess whether a comparable reduction in POAF and associated cost savings may be achieved using conventional intravenous beta-blockers or amiodarone.Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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