# A digital diagnostic pathway for heart failure: an economic evaluation

## TL;DR

A digital pathway for heart failure diagnosis can be cost-effective by speeding up treatment and improving patient outcomes.

## Contribution

The study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of a digital diagnostic pathway for heart failure using an adapted UK NICE model.

## Key findings

- Speedier diagnosis via digital tools could reduce short-term mortality and gain 0.056 quality adjusted life-years.
- The cost per quality adjusted life-year was estimated at £5,882, within a range of £4,377 to £11,084.
- Earlier treatment increases costs but may improve long-term patient outcomes.

## Abstract

Guidelines recommend prompt diagnosis of suspected heart failure in people with elevated N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Early diagnosis of heart failure improves patient outcomes, however diagnosis is complex and can often be delayed. Digital platforms can provide clinicians with greater access to information with which to diagnose heart failure, improving on standard diagnostic pathways. We modelled the potential cost-effectiveness of a digital pathway, adapting the UK NICE guideline (NG106) cost-effectiveness model to evaluate the impact of potentially speedier diagnosis and treatment of heart failure. Posited reductions in time to treatment were modelled to reduce short-term mortality and generate approximately 0.056 incremental quality adjusted life-years over a lifetime horizon. Additional costs arose from earlier heart failure treatment, resulting in a cost per quality adjusted life-year of £5,882 (95% confidence interval £4,377 - £11,084).