Health technology assessment

In the first two weeks of August, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published three new Medtech Innovation Briefings for Biopatch for venous or arterial catheter sites, Urethrotech UCD for difficult or failed catheterization and VEST external stent for coronary artery bypass grafts.

In 2017, PAE was evaluated by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute – Health Technology Assessment (LBI-HTA) to define whether evidence for this minimally invasive procedure can be sufficient for inclusion into benefit catalogue. Within this research work, evidence in relation to efficacy and safety of PAE was assessed in comparison to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and open prostatectomy. Based on the results of literature review, LBI-HTA did not recommend PAE for inclusion into benefit catalogue in Austria. LBI-HTA recommended re-evaluating PAE procedure in the 2021 year when new potential evidence is available.

In the second two weeks of July, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published one new (FebriDx for C-reactive protein and Myxovirus resistance protein A testing in primary care) and 3 updated Medtech Innovation Briefings, new Diagnostics Guidance for quantitative faecal immunochemical tests to guide referral for colorectal cancer in primary care and three new Interventional Procedures Guidance for laparoscopic insertion of a magnetic titanium ring for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, transcatheter aortic valve implantation for aortic stenosis and hysteroscopic sterilisation by insertion of intrafallopian implants.

European Network for health technology assessment (EUnetHTA) is initiating a project on assessment of screening of fetal aneuploidies (trisomy 13, 18 and 21) using non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) in collaboration with Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AVALIA-T) and Italian HTA agency Regione Emilia-Romagna. Completion of the project is planned to be on 30th of January, 2018 and aimed to evaluate effectiveness and safety of prenatal screening with NIPT, and also to assess organizational, ethical, legal issues and patient outcomes associated with this procedure.

In the first half of 2017, Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AVALIA-T) published 4 HTAs for medical technologies and procedures including Impella ventricular assist device in cardiogenic shock, microwave ablation for tumors of the liver, microsurgery in limb lymphedema and intravitreal injections. Read high-level conclusions from these assessments.

The National Commission for Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS) reviewed indications for number of devices on the LPPR list and made recommendations about structure of the section in the LPPR list.

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute – Health Technology Assessment (LBI-HTA) has published report with results of systematic literature review of application extracorporeal cytokine adsorption therapy (ECAT) for treatment and prevention of sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Considered evidence was assessed as insufficient to prove that ECAT is effective and safe procedure in patients with sepsis, septic shock and SIRS. Therefore, ECAT is currently not recommended for inclusion into the benefit catalogue.

French National Authority for Health (HAS) released new decisions about add-on and medical aid reimbursement of 10 medical devices from the meetings of the National Commission for Evaluation of Medical Devices and Health Technologies (CNEDiMTS). They include microprocessor controlled knee prosthesis, transcatheter pulmonary valve, deep brain stimulation device, kit for self-monitoring of blood glucose and others.

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute – Health Technology Assessment (LBI-HTA) has published results of systematic literature review of evidence in relation to efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for patients with metastatic spinal lesions. In conclusion, LBI-HTA recommended radiofrequency ablation of spinal metastatic lesions for inclusion in benefit catalogue with restrictions.

In the first two weeks of July, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published four Medtech Innovation Briefings (Nasal Alar SpO2 sensor for monitoring oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry, Arctic Sun 5000 for therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest, L-Dex U400 for lymphoedema after breast cancer treatment, FreeStyle Libre for glucose monitoring), new clinical guideline for Parkinson’s disease in adults, and updated diagnostic guidance for a new generation cardiac CT scanners.