Cost-effectiveness of cardiotocography plus ST analysis of the fetal electrocardiogram compared with cardiotocography only

Sylvia M. C. Vijgen*, Michelle E. M. H. Westerhuis, Brent C. Opmeer, Gerard H. A. Visser, Karl G. M. Moons, Martina Porath, S. Guid Oei, Herman P. Van Geijn, Antoinette C. Bolte, Christine Willekes, Jan G. Nijhuis, Erik van Beek, Giuseppe C. M. Graziosi, Nico W. E. Schuitemaker, Jan M. M. van Lith, Eline S. A. Van den Akker, Addy P. Drogtrop, Hendrikus J. H. M. Van Dessel, Robbert J. P. Rijnders, Herman P. OosterbaanBen Willem J. Mol, Anneke Kwee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective. To assess the cost-effectiveness of addition of ST analysis of the fetal electrocardiogram (ECG; STAN (R)) to cardiotocography (CTG) for fetal surveillance during labor compared with CTG only. Design. Cost-effectiveness analysis based on a randomized clinical trial on ST analysis of the fetal ECG. Setting. Obstetric departments of three academic and six general hospitals in The Netherlands. Population. Laboring women with a singleton high-risk pregnancy, a fetus in cephalic presentation, a gestational age >36weeks and an indication for internal electronic fetal monitoring. Methods. A trial-based cost-effectiveness analysis was performed from a health-care provider perspective. Main Outcome Measures. Primary health outcome was the incidence of metabolic acidosis measured in the umbilical artery. Direct medical costs were estimated from start of labor to childbirth. Cost-effectiveness was expressed as costs to prevent one case of metabolic acidosis. Results. The incidence of metabolic acidosis was 0.7% in the ST-analysis group and 1.0% in the CTG-only group (relative risk 0.70; 95% confidence interval 0.38-1.28). Per delivery, the mean costs per patient of CTG plus ST analysis (n = 2 827) were (sic)1 345 vs. (sic)1 316 for CTG only (n = 2 840), with a mean difference of (sic)29 (95% confidence interval -(sic)9 to (sic)77) until childbirth. The incremental costs of ST analysis to prevent one case of metabolic acidosis were (sic)9 667. Conclusions. The additional costs of monitoring by ST analysis of the fetal ECG are very limited when compared with monitoring by GIG only and very low compared with the total costs of delivery.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)772-778
JournalActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Volume90
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2011

Keywords

  • Cost-effectiveness
  • ST analysis
  • cardiotocography
  • fetal surveillance
  • labor

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