Introduction:

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy is expensive. There is evidence in the literature that it can be a cost-effective intervention in developed countries; however, in countries with low gross domestic product per capita, such as Colombia, there are still some doubts

Objective:

To determine the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome in Colombia.

Materials and methods:

Cost-effectiveness analysis in healthcare in relation to adult patients diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome with mechanical ventilation with low volumes compared to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The direct medical costs and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were determined at 6 months.

Results:

The expected cost per patient on protective mechanical ventilation was COP$ 17,609,909. The cost of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy support in surviving patients was COP$ 98,784,116. The average cost-effectiveness ratio of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was COP$ 141,662,435 for each life saved (USD$ 41,276).

Conclusions:

Support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy had an average cost of COP$ 141,662,435 for each life saved equivalent to USD$ 41,276. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio COP$ was 608,783,750 (USD$ 177,384); almost ten times higher than the decision rule of three gross domestic product per capita (COP$ 59,710,479).

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