-Patients treated with Lovenox(R) (enoxaparin sodium injection) were also
less likely to be readmitted to hospital within 90 days-
BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Dec 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sanofi-aventis
announced today the results of a study that demonstrated total hospital
direct medical costs associated with VTE treatment are reduced by $550 per
patient when they were treated with the use of low-molecular weight heparin
(LMWH) vs. unfractionated heparin (UFH) with 97.3% of LMWH patients
receiving Lovenox. Patients who received LMWH were also less likely to be
readmitted to the hospital with a VTE recurrence within 90 days. The
findings were presented at American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting
(ASH) in Atlanta, GA.
The current healthcare and economic burden of venous thromboembolism
(VTE) in U.S. hospitals is significant. In patients with confirmed VTE,
evidence- based guidelines recommend treatment for a minimum of five days
with either a low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH, such as Lovenox) or UFH.
However, in the real-world practice, the total hospital direct medical
costs and VTE-related readmission rates of these VTE treatment regimens are
not clear.
A retrospective real-world cohort study examining discharge and billing
records from the Premier Perspective(TM) database included discharges of
patients less than 18 years old and with a primary diagnosis of VTE from
January 2003 through June 2005. Only VTE patients who were treated with
either LMWH or UFH were included in the study. Total hospital direct
medical costs associated with VTE treatment (including drug costs, hospital
costs, and professional costs) were quantified and compared for patients
receiving UFH and LMWH. Furthermore, VTE-related readmission rates at days
30 and 90 post- discharge were compared for both patient cohorts. Total
direct medical costs (US $) were compared using multivariate statistics,
adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics. Logistic regression was
used to compare the likelihood of readmission within 30 and 90 days.
The analysis included 38,664 patient discharges with 53 percent
(20,577) receiving LMWH and 47 percent (18,087) receiving UFH. Among
patients who received LMWH, 97.3 percent (20,021) of them received Lovenox,
with the remaining 2.7% receiving other LMWHs. The two groups were similar
in clinical and demographic characteristics. The average length of hospital
stay for the UFH group was 1.1 days longer (5.7 days vs. 4.6) days. After
adjustment for covariates, the average total direct hospital costs were
$3,618 for UFH and $3,068 for LMWH (difference $550, P<0.0001). Lovenox was
associated with reduced cost in most categories although anticoagulation
therapy costs were higher for LMWH ($242 versus $41 for UFH, P<0.0001).
LMWH was associated with lower rates of VTE-related readmission at both 30
days (11.2% vs 12.1%; odds ratio [OR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]
0.84-0.96; P=0.001) and 90 days (13.1% vs 13.8%; OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85-0.96;
P<0.001).
Dr. Geno Merli, Director at the Jefferson Center for Vascular Disease,
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA and a lead investigator of the
analysis said, "What the results showed is that despite higher drug-related
costs for Lovenox, the total direct medical costs for the treatment of VTE
is reduced when compared to using UFH. For every 1,000 patients treated for
documented DVT, the use of Lovenox may save approximately half a million
dollars."
About Premier's Perspective(TM) Database
Premier's Perspective(TM) database is the most comprehensive clinical,
financial and operational comparative database in the U.S. and contains
information from hundreds of hospitals and millions of discharges,
providing means by which hospitals can benchmark their efforts against
other hospitals in an effort to improve quality and reduce costs.
About Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
Venous thromboembolism is a general term used to describe the formation
of a blood clot (thrombus) that blocks a vein. This may occur in any part
of the venous system, but the most common manifestations are deep-vein
thrombosis (DVT), usually in the leg, and pulmonary embolism (PE).
VTE is also a common complication among acutely ill medical patients
who have recently been immobilized, a population of medically-ill patients
at particularly high-risk for VTE.
About Lovenox(R)
Lovenox(R) is an antithrombotic agent known as low-molecular weight
heparin (LMWH). The number one selling low-molecular weight heparin in the
world, Lovenox(R) is obtained by alkaline degradation of heparin benzyl
ester and is about one-third the molecular size of unfractionated heparin.
Lovenox(R) is the most widely studied LMWH, with 15 years of use in the
treatment of 130 million patients in 96 countries.
Lovenox(R) is approved in the United States for the prophylaxis of
ischemic complications of unstable angina and non-Q-wave (non-ST-segment
elevation) myocardial infarction when concurrently administered with
aspirin and for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which may
lead to pulmonary embolism (PE); in patients undergoing abdominal surgery
who are at risk for thromboembolic complications; in patients undergoing
hip replacement surgery (during and following hospitalization), in patients
undergoing knee replacement surgery; and in medical patients who are at
risk for thromboembolic complications due to severely restricted mobility
during acute illness; as well as for the inpatient treatment of acute DVT,
with or without PE, when administered in conjunction with warfarin sodium
and for the outpatient treatment of acute DVT without PE, when administered
in conjunction with warfarin sodium.
Important Safety Information
Certain procedures, called "epidural/spinal anesthesia" and "spinal
puncture," may be used as a normal part of hospitalization. Patients
requiring these procedures while being treated with LOVENOX(R) (enoxaparin
sodium injection) or other low-molecular-weight heparins are at risk of
developing a blood clot in or around the spine. This condition may result
in long-term or permanent paralysis.
LOVENOX(R) is not the same as "unfractionated heparin" or other drugs
called "low-molecular-weight heparins." Therefore, these drugs cannot be
used interchangeably with LOVENOX(R).
LOVENOX(R) can alter the blood's ability to clot. Patients treated with
LOVENOX(R), who also have conditions affecting the clotting system, must be
carefully monitored by their physician. Adjusting the dose of LOVENOX(R)
may be necessary for patients who have certain forms of kidney disease. All
patients receiving LOVENOX(R), as well as other anticoagulants, should be
carefully monitored for bleeding by their physician. Bleeding can occur at
any site with LOVENOX(R) use.
Platelet drops, known as "thrombocytopenia," can occur with LOVENOX(R)
use. Cases of a related condition called "heparin-induced thrombocytopenia"
have been observed in clinical practice. If you have had this condition,
you must notify your healthcare professional. Your physician may perform
blood tests to monitor for the occurrence of any drop in platelet count.
The use of LOVENOX(R) has not been adequately studied in pregnant women
with artificial (mechanical) heart valves.
LOVENOX(R) should not be used in patients with an allergy or
sensitivity reaction to the active ingredient called enoxaparin sodium,
heparin, or pork products, and in patients with active major bleeding.
Common side effects include mild local reactions or irritation at the
site of injection, pain, bruising, and redness of skin.
For specific questions about your health, you should always consult
your physician or a qualified healthcare professional who is responsible
for your care.
Please see Full Prescribing Information including boxed WARNING, for
additional important information.
About sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers,
develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of
everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York
(NYSE: SNY).
U.S Contacts: Marisol Peron, 1-908-981-6565,
Marisol.Peron@sanofi-aventis.com
Amy Ba, 1-908-981-6563, Amy.Ba@sanofi-aventis.com
[US.ENO.07.11.085]
SOURCE sanofi-aventis
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Related links:
http://www.sanofi-aventis.us/
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/232375.html/
CONTACT:
Marisol Peron, 1-908-981-6565,
Marisol.Peron@sanofi-aventis.com, or Amy Ba, 1-908-981-6563,
Amy.Ba@sanofi-aventis.com both of sanofi-aventis
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