Rapid assessments
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)
12 Entries into category "rapid-assessment"
Show allProstate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer in men in Europe. In early stage, prostate cancer is localised and organ-confined. Depend-ing on the risk of progression, the cancerous lesion increases in volume and produces more PSA over time. Localised prostate cancer is often indolent, and has no impact on health; even without treatment. Locally […]
The aim of this project was to examine the effectiveness and safety of mechanical thrombectomy plus standard of care versus standard of care alone, in adults aged 18 years or older with acute ischaemic stroke in the anterior and/or posterior region. CE-marked aspiration/suction devices, and stent and coil retrievers, were included in the analysis. The assessment […]
The aim of the present rapid assessment was to summarise the information on the relative effec-tiveness and safety of transcatheter implantable devices for mitral valve repair in adults with chronic mitral regurgitation (MR). Three different transcatheter therapeutic approaches and related devices were considered: leaflet repair with MitraClip® System (Abbott Vascular International), annulus repair with CARILLON® Mi-tral Contour […]
The aim of this rapid assessment is to summarise the information on the relative effectiveness and safety of balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) for the treatment of Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) in a population aged over 12 years. The comparators included tympanostomy tubes (grommets) and medication (such as nasal decon-gestants, simethicone, oral or nasal corticosteroids, antibiotics, antihistamines, leukotriene […]
Benign oesophageal stenosis (BOS) is a condition in which the normal oesophageal lumen is constricted and the normal passage of swallowed food from the upper oesophagus to the stom-ach is impeded. BOS can be caused by a wide range of disorders such as peptic steno-ses as a consequence to gastroesophageal reflux disease, eosinophilic oesophagitis, caustic inju-ries, […]
In Italy, cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability. Among all cardiovascular diseases, a prominent role is played by heart failure (HF), with 600,000 people suffering from heart failure. It is estimated that the frequency of this condition will double with each decade of age. The limited cardiac reserve of HF patients […]
Percutaneous closure of patent foreman ovale (PFO) is one of the treatment options for patients with PFO suffering from transient ischemic attacks (TIA), cryptogenic stroke or persistent migraine. At time of writing, none of the several CE marked PFO closure devices have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Currently there are 12 different PFO closure devices […]
This assessment addresses two subpopulations of interest: 1) adult obese patients (grade III obesity/BMI ≥40 or grade II obesity/BMI 35.0–39.9 with comorbidities) 2) patients with Type 2 DM and obesity ≥ grade I. The DJBS is a 60 cm long impermeable sleeve-like device (fluoropolymer), placed endo-scopically under general anaesthesia into the small intestine for up to […]
The target population comprises patients who suffer from resistant hypertension, a con-dition that is linked to sympathetic nervous system overactivity, involving the kidneys. Patients who are eligible for the intervention can be treated with catheter-based renal denervation. The goals of the treatment are to prevent hypertensive end-organ damage and decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Treatment-resistant hypertension is […]
Interspinous implants and pedicle screws for dynamic stabilization of lumbar spine: Rapid assessment
This rapid assessment concerns the clinical effectiveness and the efficiency of innovative surgical technologies proposed for the treatment of degenerative spinal conditions: interspinous spacers and pedicle screw systems. These techniques are presented as an alternative to decompression surgery (laminectomy or discectomy) and/or fusion surgery. Currently, none of these implants are officially reimbursed in Belgium. However, in practice, a specific reimbursement can […]