Figure 1.

Decision tree analysis. The decision tree model was developed in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA). Each event following the initial procedure was characterized by a node that occurred with a given probability, and each branch represents a mutually exclusive pathway. The total costs and payoffs associated with either treatment option was calculated by multiplying the pathway probabilities by the corresponding costs and outcomes and summing the expected costs and payoffs. The decision tree time horizon is 12 mo, and the model is extended to a lifetime perspective by assigning lumped cost/benefit estimates at end points A–H. CIED indicates cardiac implantable electronic device.