Economic burden of post-acute myocardial infarction heart failure in the United Kingdom

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to quantify the burden of CHF, subsequent to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), from the perspective of the UK National Health Service (NHS). A systematic literature review of publications since 1990 was carried out on the economic burden of heart failure. The economic burden of post-AMI heart failure in the UK for the year 2000 was estimated for two scenarios: (1) Base-case estimate (post-AMI heart failure accounts for 20% of heart failure cases): Direct healthcare costs of 125-181 pound million (approx. 0.4% of total NHS spend) and nursing home costs of 27 pound million, (2) Upper estimate (post-AMI heart failure accounts for 50% of the total): Direct healthcare costs of 313-453 pound million (approx 1.0% of total NHS spend) and nursing home costs of 68 pound million. In conclusion, post-AMI heart failure imposes a significant direct economic burden on the UK. (c) 2004 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V.