Authors' objectives:

The aim of this report was to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of biventricular pacing for patients with severe heart failure.

Authors' recommendations: BVP (without combination with an ICD) appears to be a clinically effective adjunct to optimal medical treatment in selected heart failure patients. However, its cost effectiveness remains less certain although a recent analysis (based on the CARE-HF trial) indicates that BVP seems to be cost effective from a UK NHS perspective.The cost effective implementation of BVP within the West Midlands is likely to depend on cost of the BVP procedure (device and staffing) to the local health economy as well as the careful application of criteria for selection of suitable patients. Further research is needed to assess the place of BVP combined with ICD in the management of heart failure, and to identify those patients where BVP is likely to most cost effective.NICE is due to issue guidance to NHS in England and Wales on cardiac resynchronisation therapy in severe heart failure in March 2007

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-mds/haps/projects/WMHTAC/REPreports/2005/BVP.pdf

Year Published: 2005

URL for published report: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-mds/haps/projects/WMHTAC/REPreports/reports_list.shtml

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration

Contact Address: Elaena Donald-Lopez, West Midlands Health Technology Assessment Collaboration, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: +44 121 414 7450; Fax: +44 121 414 7878

Contact Name: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: louise.a.taylor@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: University of Birmingham