Full reports
HTA of MDs
Health Technology Assessment of Medical Devices
HTA is multi-disciplinary field of policy analysis that examines the medical, economic, social and ethical implications of the incremental value, diffusion and use of a health technology in health care.
The term Health Technology refers to application of organised knowledge and skills in the form of devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve quality of life.
Library of Assessments on MDs (1999-2020)
70 Entries into category "full-reports"
Show allAbstract Background Single-sided deafness refers to profound sensorineural hearing loss or non-functional hearing in one ear, with normal or near-normal hearing in the other ear. Its hallmark is the inability to localize sound and hear in noisy environments. Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a mechanical problem with the conduction of sound vibrations. Mixed hearing […]
Abstract Background Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the conventional treatment in patients at low or intermediate surgical risk. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive procedure, originally developed as an alternative for patients at high or prohibitive surgical risk. Methods We conducted a health technology assessment of TAVI versus SAVR in patients with […]
Abstract Background Heart transplantation is the most effective treatment for people experiencing end-stage heart failure whose quality of life and life expectancy are unacceptable. However, there is a chronic shortage of donor hearts to meet the demand, so it is essential to expand the donor pool and increase supply. Heart donation mainly occurs after brain death […]
Abstract Background Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a rare genetic disorder that causes vestibular schwannomas to develop in both eighth cranial nerves. Almost all people with NF2 eventually become completely deaf as a result of progressive tumour enlargement or following surgical or radiotherapy treatment. Other rare abnormal conditions in the inner ears can also cause complete deafness. […]
Cervical degenerative disc disease occurs in the cervical spine (the part of the spine in the neck) when the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine) start to deteriorate. It causes painful and disabling symptoms that impact people’s quality of life and ability to function. When treatments such as medication and physical therapy are insufficient, surgery […]
People who cannot empty their bladder on their own may develop chronic urinary retention. If not managed, this condition can lead to serious health problems. Urine that remains in the bladder for too long increases the risk of developing urinary tract infection, bladder damage, and kidney disease. To prevent such problems, children and adults with chronic urinary retention learn […]
INTRODUCTION Procurement of medical devices (MDs) on a national level, is a quite challenging task since it -at the same- time aims in guaranteeing high quality of products and assuring patient safety, with the lowest possible cost for the health care system. The vast variety of MDs, the accelerated pace of appearance of new technologies, the shorter life cycle, […]
Fully bioresorbable stents or scaffolds (BRS) represent the latest generation of devices for myocardial revascularisation strategies. They comprise a degradable material, most commonly a polymer, such as poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) or a magnesium alloy, and are either drug coated or drug free. They are mainly built to overcome the risk of late complications, such as scaffold thrombosis or restenosis, which […]
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), also referred to as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), is the deployment of a bioprosthesis in the aortic valve using a catheter. In contrast to traditional open-heart surgery (i.e. surgical aortic valve replacement, SAVR), the procedure is minimally invasive when performed through transfemoral access and can be performed with light sedation […]
People suffering from certain types of heart failure, or an abnormal heart rate or rhythm, may have one ofseveral electronic devices implanted (e.g., a defibrillator or a pacemaker). However, patients require routine follow up in-clinic for clinical assessment and to verify that the device is functioning properly, which can be a burden for those who have difficulty traveling […]