Author/Authors :
Ahmadi, Z.H Lung Transplantation Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Shafaghi, Sh Lung Transplantation Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Mandegar, M. H. Department of Cardiac Surgery - Shariati Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Salehi, M. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery - Imam Khomeini Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Sharif Kashani, B. Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Naghashzadeh, F . Lung Transplantation Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Jahangirifard, A. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery - Imam Khomeini Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Bakhshandeh, A. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery - Imam Khomeini Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Afshar, A. Lung Transplantation Research Center - National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD) - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Kazempour, M . Mycobacteriology Research Center - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran , Sheikhan, F. Research Center of Chronic Respiratory Diseases - NRITLD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences - Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Heart transplantation is an established treatment for end-stage heart failure patients, but its
cost-effectiveness is under question.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the cost of heart transplantation in Iran as a developing country in
Asia to contribute to future planning in the region.
Methods: This study was conducted in two phases. First, in a retrospective multicenter study, hospital
data of heart transplant and hospitalization of three active heart transplant centers in Tehran, Iran, were
reviewed from April 2013 to May 2015. Then pre-transplantation, transplantation, and one-year posttransplant
costs were calculated according to the ABC (activity-based costing) method in 2016.
Results: Data were obtained for 120 patients, among which 95 (79.17%) were males with a mean (SD)
age of 35.31±13.41 years. Mean (SD) hospital and ICU length of stay were 17.85±14.91 and 9.74±8.94
days, respectively. A significant correlation existed between the mean of hospital and ICU length of stay
(P<0.001, r: 0.754). The mean heart transplant and hospitalization cost was 3445.47±1243.29 USD from
2013 to 2015. Using the activity-based costing method, the cost of pre-transplantation, transplantation,
and one-year -post-transplantation were extracted 6.5%, 73.5%, and 20%, respectively, with a total cost
of 26232 USD.
Conclusion: Compared to other countries, the cost of heart transplantation in Iran is very low. Numerous
reasons lead to this difference. Firstly, a heart transplantation surgery is performed in university-based
hospitals and is supported by the government. On the other hand, a significant difference exists between
personnel costs in Iran compared to other countries.
Keywords :
Heart surgery , Heart transplantation , Activity-based costing , Heart failure
