Key result
Transvenous pacemaker complications occurred in 12.0% of patients within 1 year post-implant, resulting in average healthcare costs €4627 higher than for patients without complications.
Why the study?
This study evaluated the occurrence and associated healthcare costs of pacemaker complications in Germany from 2010 to 2013.
What is the incidence of complications and their associated healthcare costs following transvenous cardiac pacemaker implantation?
Case-Control (n=12,922)
What is the incidence of complications and their associated healthcare costs following transvenous cardiac pacemaker implantation?
Pacemaker complications are common, occurring in 12% of patients within one year, and significantly increase healthcare costs.
Complications after transvenous pacemaker implantation were associated with higher costs; this cohort study leaves open whether prevention reduces burden.
Aim: This study evaluated the occurrence and associated costs of pacemaker complications in Germany from 2010 to 2013. Patients & methods: Patients with a de novo or replacement implantation of a single or dual chamber pacemaker between 2010 and 2013 were followed for 12 months post-implant using German health insurance claims data. A case–control analysis was performed using propensity score matching to estimate the costs of complications. Results: Out of 12,922 implanted patients, 12.0% had a complication in the year following the implant. Complications related to lead and pocket were found in 10.2% of all implanted patients; infections occurred in 1.7% patients. Healthcare costs up to 36 months post complication were on average €4627 higher than for pacemaker patients without a complication. Conclusion: Pacemaker complications are common and represent a burden for patients and healthcare systems generating substantial costs. Most of the pacemaker complications involved the pacing lead or pacemaker pocket.
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Ludwig et al. (2019) conducted a case-control in Pacemaker implantation (n=12,922). Transvenous cardiac pacemakers vs. Pacemaker patients without a complication was evaluated on Occurrence and associated costs of pacemaker complications. Transvenous pacemaker complications occurred in 12.0% of patients within 1 year post-implant, resulting in average healthcare costs €4627 higher than for patients without complications.
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