Population
Acute myocardial infarction patients with anaemia, enrolled in the REALITY trial in 35 hospitals in France and Spain (n= 666).
Intervention
Restrictive transfusion strategy (n= 342).
Comparison
Liberal transfusion strategy (n= 324).
Outcome
The 30-day incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was €33,065 saved per additional major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) averted with the restrictive versus the liberal strategy, with an 84% probability for the restrictive strategy to be cost-saving and MACE reducing. At 1-year, the point estimate of the cost-utility ratio was €191,500 saved per quality-adjusted life year gained; however cumulated MACE were outside the pre-specified non-inferiority margin, resulting in a decremental cost effectiveness ratio with a point estimate of €72,000 saved per additional MACE with the restrictive strategy.