What are the limitations of a cost-effectiveness analysis like this?
These estimates are driven by “point estimates” A 0.5% improvement in mortality is small, and this point estimate may be unstable (p=0.051). Patients with atrial fibrillation may live longer than the 6.75 years assumed here. A longer survival time would reduce the cost per year of life saved.
No quality adjusted life expectancy data is presented. These data mix present cost with future costs. Some cost estimates are old. There may be heterogeneity in costs of stroke, bleeding and MI throughout the world. </s>