Table 4.

Cost-effectiveness of AVF compared with CVC and AVG options by life expectancy quartile and age

Age, yr	AVF Options Versus CVC Options			AVF Options Versus AVG Options
	75th Percentile	50th Percentile	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	50th Percentile	25th Percentile
65–69	Cost savinga	Cost saving	Cost saving	Cost saving	Cost saving	Cost saving
70–74	Cost saving	Cost saving	Cost saving	Cost saving	Cost saving	$3924/QALM
75–79	Cost saving	Cost saving	Cost saving	Cost saving	$2645/QALM	$2380/QALM
80–84	Cost saving	Cost saving	Cost saving	$2294/QALM	$2828/QALM	Cost saving
85–89	Cost saving	Cost saving	$14,042/QALM	$3860/QALM	Cost saving	$13,253/QALM

AVF, arteriovenous fistula; CVC, central venous catheter; AVG, arteriovenous graft; QALM, quality-adjusted life-month. Data shown are incremental cost-effectiveness ratios defined as difference in costs divided by difference in effectiveness (QALM). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio represents the cost required to gain one additional QALM.

^aCost-savings is defined as a treatment option that has lower costs and greater effectiveness than the alternative treatment.