Application of decisional models to the health-economic assessment of new interactive clinical software

RT3S (Real Time Simulations for Safer vascular Stenting) is a partially EU-funded research project aiming to develop a software tool for supporting physicians during the preplanning of endovascular stenting procedures. The project is expected to improve the way limb-saving, minimally-invasive stenting procedures are currently performed, with positive clinical and economic impact. A hypothetical cohort of patients was modeled and used to simulate the patient's progression through the treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). A Markov health state-based model was implemented, based on clinical and economic parameters derived from the literature and clinicians' feedback. The health-economic analysis allowed quantitative estimation of the economic and clinical advantages related to the implementation of the clinical software. A quantitative estimation of the potential health-economic impact was achieved. The model proved to accord well with observed predictions from endovascular experts in the field. It represents an important reference for future assessment of IT-related innovations in the healthcare sector.