Economic Burden of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Italy: Focus on Stroke and Related Conditions

This health economics study analyzed administrative healthcare data from Italian regions to assess direct medical costs for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack, along with acute coronary syndrome and peripheral arterial disease. Over a 2-year period, approximately 350,000 patients were hospitalized annually with average direct costs of €7,190 per patient, with hospitalizations comprising nearly 70% of total expenses.