Clinical and economic burden of colorectal and bariatric anastomotic leaks.

Background: Anastomotic leaks cause a significant clinical and economic burden on patients undergoing bariatric and colorectal surgeries. Current literature shows a wide variation in incidence of anastomotic leaks and a significant gap in associated economic metrics. This analysis utilized claims data to quantify the full episode-of-care cost burden of leaks following colorectal and bariatric surgeries.

Revision Analysis of Robotic Arm-Assisted and Manual Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate hospital admissions for revision surgeries associated with robotic arm-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (rUKA) vs manually instrumented UKA (mUKA) procedures.

Methods: Patients ≥18 years of age who received either a mUKA or a rUKA procedure were candidates for inclusion and were identified by the presence of appropriate billing codes. Procedures performed between March 1, 2013 and July 31, 2015 were used to calculate the rate of surgical revisions occurring within 24-months of the index procedure.

A 90-day episode-of-care cost analysis of robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty.

Aim: To evaluate 90-day episode-of-care (EOC) costs associated with robotic-arm assisted total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) versus manual TKA (mTKA).

Patients & Methods: TKA procedures were identified in Medicare 100% data. Accounting for baseline differences, propensity score matching was performed 1:5.

Use of combinatorial pharmacogenomic guidance in treating psychiatric disorders.

Aim: To evaluate payer costs associated with treating psychiatric disorders utilizing a combinatorial pharmacogenomics test versus treatment-as-usual (TAU).

Patients & Methods: Administrative claims data were analyzed from health plan members whose treatment was guided by GeneSight Psychotropic testing (CPGx cohort) and those who received TAU (TAU cohort). Reimbursed costs were calculated over the 12-month pre-index and post-index event periods.

Economic Impact of Increased Utilization of Multivariate Assay Testing to Guide the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer: Implications for Payers.

Background: Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women, but ranks fifth in cancer-related causes of death, the majority of which are detected in late stages, after the cancer has metastasized. The CA125 test is the standard of care for assessing suspicious pelvic masses. However, the primary use of CA125 is to monitor treatment progress rather than to screen for disease, and its sensitivity is exceedingly low, unlike the multivariate assay OVA1.

Outcomes of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia with mechanical hemodynamic support: An analysis of the Medicare database.

Introduction: There is a paucity of data in favor of mechanical support during catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT). This study investigated the outcomes of VT ablation associated with mechanical support using percutaneous ventricular assist device (PVAD) versus intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP).

Methods And Results: We retrospectively examined the outcomes of patients who underwent VT ablation associated with PVAD versus IABP from 2010 to 2013, captured by the Medicare Inpatient Standard Analytic File database.