Economic relevance of congestive heart failure. An overview of costs and cost-effectiveness of treatment

The economic burden of congestive heart failure is significant. Approximate ly 1 to 2% of total health carl expenditure is attributed to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congestive heart failure. A great share of thi s expenditure is related to the costs of long-term complications and produc tivity losses In order to manage these costs, providers and policymakers in creasingly have to focus on economically attractive interventions Pharmacoeconomic analyses aid the systematic selection of cost-effective dr ug therapy in congestive heart failure in an era of increasing cost-contain ment.