What evidence was found in the clinical review regarding the cost-effectiveness of a multidisciplinary team approach for patients with severe heart failure?
The clinical review found that one economic evaluation compared MDT involving a cardiologist and a specialist heart failure nurse compared to usual care. This cost-utility analysis found that the MDT was cost effective compared to usual care (ICER: 3,072 per QALY gained). Another economic evaluation compared MDT involving a cardiologist experienced in geriatrics, specialist heart failure nurses, and a primary care physician to usual care. This within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis found that the MDT approach saves 4,042 per death and/or heart failure- related admission avoided, and saves 2,155 per all-cause admission avoided. Lastly, one economic evaluation compared MDT involving a cardiologist, specialist cardiac nurse and primary care physician to usual care. This study found that the MDT approach was less costly than usual care; however, the overall effects of the MDT were uncertain.