Cost-effectiveness of transthoracic echocardiography in stroke patients

Utility of Trans-Thoracic Echocardiography (TTE) in stroke patients is considerable and its cost-effectiveness should be evaluated. Consecutive stroke patients admitted in Valie Asr hospital, Khorasan in 2003-2004 enrolled in this prospective study. All of the patients underwent a standard battery of diagnostic investigations including TTE for detection of high-risk cardioembolic sources. The cost-effectiveness of TTE was estimated with using indicational strategies of Braunwald, Warlow and the authors. By performing 302 TTE in all of the stroke patients, 40 cases (13.2%) with high-risk cardioembolic sources were detected. Braunwald, Warlow and authors strategies could reveal 95%, 95% and 87.5% of these high risk cardioembolic sources respectively. The author’s strategy had little expenses comparing with other methods. Indicational strategies with best cost-effectiveness are recommended in developing countries.