Cost-effectiveness of dopexamine hydrochloride infusions in high-risk surgical patients to increase perioperative oxygen delivery.

Authors: J Guest, W Hart, O Boyd, R Grounds & E Bennett.
Source: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, pp 471-474. Monduzzi Editore S.p.A. Bologna, Italy 1995.

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of using dopexamine to deliberately increase perioperative oxygen delivery in high-risk patients. Patients were randomly assigned to either a Control group (n=54) to receive best standard optimal fluid resuscitation perioperatively, or a Protocol group (n=53) to receive, in addition, a dopexamine infusion to increase the perioperative oxygen delivery index to greater than 600ml/min/m2. The average cost per Protocol patient to achieve a 94.3% survival rate 28 days postoperatively was £9,894, resulting in an average cost of £10,488 per surviving Protocol patient. The average cost per Control patient was £11,331 to achieve a 77.8% survival rate 28 days postoperatively, resulting in an average cost of £14,568 per surviving Control patient. The perioperative use of dopexamine generated a potential cost saving to the NHS of £1,436 per patient together with a 75% reduction in mortality at 28 days postoperatively.