Economic Burden of Heart Failure in Europe: A Systematic Review of Costs and Cost-Effectiveness
Josep Darbà, Meritxell Ascanio, A. Rodríguez Rodríguez, Sarah J. Charman, Nduka C. Okwose, Renae J. Stefanetti, Amy Groenewegen, Annamaria Del Franco, Maria Tafelmeier, Andrej Preveden, A. Fuller, Fatima Bano, David R. Sinclair, Duncan Edwards, Anne Pauline Nelissen, Petros Malitas, Aikaterini Zisaki, Zoran Bosnić, Petar Vračar, Alessandra Fornaro, Fausto Barlocco, Dimitrios I. Fotiadis, Prithwish Banerjee, Guy A. MacGowan, Óscar Fernández, José Luis Zamorano, Marta Jiménez-Blanco Bravo, Lars S. Maier, Iacopo Olivotto, Massimo Milli, Frans H. Rutten, Jonathan Mant, Lazar Velicki, Petar Seferović, Nenad Filipović, Djordje G. Jakovljević
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) affects over 64 million individuals worldwide and is a major cause of hospitalization and mortality, particularly among older adults. In Europe, HF imposes a significant and growing economic burden. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the economic impact of HF diagnosis, treatment and management across European healthcare systems. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library and Econlit databases including the terms 'heart failure' AND 'costs' OR 'cost of illness' OR 'cost analysis' OR 'economic burden' OR 'cost effectiveness' OR 'primary care' OR 'secondary care'. Studies published between January 2000 and January 2024 were included. A total of 49 studies were included: 17 on resource use, 11 on costs, 15 on resource use and costs, 1 on costs and cost-effectiveness, and 5 on resource use, costs and cost-effectiveness. Hospitalizations and medication use were the most frequently reported resource parameters. Annual HF-related costs varied widely across countries, ranging from €613 to €22,647 per patient. Hospitalizations represented the primary cost driver, accounting for 15% to 92% of total HF costs. Cost-reduction strategies included multidisciplinary care, telemonitoring and pharmacologic interventions. Several disease management programmes reduced hospital admissions and emergency visits. Cost-effectiveness analyses supported the use of certain HF therapies, with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranging from €1490 to €9406 per QALY gained. F imposes a substantial economic burden in Europe, largely driven by hospitalizations. Cost-effective interventions such as remote monitoring and integrated care programmes can reduce this burden. Broader adoption of these strategies may improve outcomes and optimize resource allocation across healthcare systems.