AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 21, 2013–On-X® Life Technologies, Inc. (On-X LTI) announced today that a cost analysis entitled, “Initial Heart Valve Replacement Prosthetic Choice Has Long-Term Complications and Cost Impact: A Comparative Analysis,” will be presented in poster form at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) annual meeting in New Orleans, La., May 18-22, 2013. The cost analysis is the work of authors Steven D. Culler, Ph.D., of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta and Sidney Levitsky, M.D., Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, and was sponsored by On-X LTI.
The key finding of the study indicate that for a typical 55-year-old heart valve disease patient with a 25-year life expectancy who requires a heart valve replacement, the cumulative healthcare cost savings of using the On-X mechanical valve instead of a stented tissue valve, which may require a replacement with the new transcatheter valve at an advanced age, is approximately $376,000.
“This analysis has taken into consideration costs associated with and documented by peer-reviewed publications,” said Dr. Culler. “These costs include the implantation and lifetime maintenance of the study heart valves, including the cost of treatment of complications for each prosthesis and reoperation over time for stented tissue valves. It is our hope that this analysis may help provide insight into future costs as one aspect of the prosthesis choice decision.” From a more clinical viewpoint, Dr. Levitsky who will present the poster at the ISPOR meeting commented, “The focus of all clinical decisions should be the welfare of the patient. This analysis demonstrates that it may just be possible to have the combined benefit of better patient care and reduced cost to treat.” “It was important for On-X LTI to support this cost analysis,” said Clyde Baker, On-X LTI’s president. “The future of healthcare will likely be one of purchasing value through comparative cost effectiveness. We believe the On-X valve with its documented lower complications and anticipated reduction in anticoagulation therapy requirements is the ideal valve for many younger patients.” On-X heart valves are made of pure On-X Carbon® and have an advanced design that causes less blood cell damage than traditional mechanical valves. Long-term studies have documented fewer morbid events in recipients of On-X valves. Presently, the Prospective Randomized On-X Valve Reduced Anticoagulation Clinical Trial (PROACT) is examining if patients may require less anticoagulation.
The On-X valve is the result of a breakthrough in medical grade carbon technology On-X pure pyrolytic carbon. In addition to providing a more thromboresistant surface, the comparatively high strength of pure On-X Carbon enabled On-X LTI to make significant valve design changes that resulted in a prosthesis that acts more like a natural valve in its treatment of blood. It is well documented that the On-X valve does not produce the turbulence and blood damage commonly produced by other mechanical heart valve prostheses and, therefore, significantly reduces the potential for life-threatening blood clots.
About On-X LTI
On-X® Life Technologies (On-X LTI) develops heart valve replacements that significantly improve the quality of life of patients. Jack Bokros, Ph.D., and his associates founded On-X LTI in 1994 to further advance prosthetic heart valve technology by capitalizing on their new form of pyrolytic carbon. The company has FDA, CE and Japanese approval for sale of the On-X® valve. On-X LTI also provides contract-manufacturing services utilizing its patented pyrolytic carbon to manufacturers of other medical products, including orthopedic joint and spine prostheses. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, On-X LTI is a privately held company. More information is located at www.onxlti.com.
