Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) today touted a cost-effectiveness analysis that supports transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the Sapien 3.
Irvine, California-based Edwards presented data from the Partner 3 trial during the late-breaking clinical trials at the 33rd Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), the annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.
According to a news release, the analysis comparing TAVR to surgery demonstrated that TAVR with Sapien 3 represents an economically dominant treatment strategy with improved outcomes and reduced cost. The analysis compared healthcare costs, life expectancy and quality-adjusted life for patients with severe aortic stenosis at low risk for surgery, who were treated with TAVR or surgery in the Partner 3 trial.
Partner 3 randomized 1,000 patients across 71 centers between March 2016 and October 2017.
The study found that TAVR with Sapien 3 resulted in cost savings coming in greater than $2,000 per patient across a two-year study period, with significant reductions in hospital length of stay and follow-up costs, overcoming higher index hospitalization and procedural costs associated with TAVR.
Additionally, Edwards said TAVR led to a small but significant improvement in quality-adjusted life expectancy over the two-year follow-up, with improved early quality of life and survival representing the driving forces there. The company concluded that there is a 95% probability that TAVR is highly cost-effective against surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).
“As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Sapien valves’ FDA approval in the United States, it is inspiring to reflect on the impact this technology has had on the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis,” Edwards Corporate VP of TAVR Larry Wood said in the release. “These data add to the substantial body of evidence showing the advantages of TAVR over surgery in terms of effectiveness and cost-efficiency at all surgery risk levels.
“We are proud that Sapien TAVR continues to stand out as a unique technology that extends patients’ lives, improves quality of life and saves money for the healthcare system.”
