Early follow-up after open heart valve surgery reduces healthcare costs: a propensity matched study

Objectives The objective was to assess differences in healthcare costs within 180 days after discharge from open heart valve surgery in an intervention group receiving early, individualised and intensified follow-up compared with a historical control group. Methods A cost-minimisation analysis comparing costs from a consecutive prospective cohort compared with a propensity matched cohort. Costs related to the intervention, hospital (outpatient visits and readmissions) and general practitioners (all contacts) were included. Data were obtained from electronic patient records and registry data. A logistic propensity model was used to identify the historical control group. Main results are presented as mean differences and 95% CIs based on bootstrapping. Results After matching, the analysis included 300 patients from the intervention group and 580 controls. The mean intervention cost was 171 (SD 79) per patient. After 180 days, the mean healthcare costs were 1284 (SD 2567) for the intervention group and 2077 (SD 4773) for the controls. The cost of the intervention group was 93 (p<0.001) less per patient. The cost differences were explained mainly by fewer readmissions, fewer overall emergency visits and fewer contacts to the general practitioner during out-of-hours in the intervention group. Conclusions The intervention consisting of early, individualised and intensified follow-up after open heart valve surgery significantly reduced the healthcare costs within 180 days after discharge.