Using decision analysis to evaluate the cost effectiveness of GP IIb IIIa antagonists

The GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists have been shown to significantly incre ase the success rate of invasive cardiovascular procedures, such as percuta neous transluminal coronary angioplasty. However, this benefit comes at a s ignificant cost. The number of alternatives in this therapeutic area necess itates comparative evaluation of the costs and benefits of these products. Several study designs and methodological approaches can be used to evaluate the cost effectiveness of these products, including clinical trials, natur alistic trials, retrospective claims data, and modeling, This article discu sses the advantages and disadvantages of the Various approaches. Using deci sion analysis, this article takes the reader through the steps necessary to obtain average and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. The analysis fol lows a step-by-step process that decision makers should be able to use as a framework to conduct a full comparative cost-effectiveness analysis.