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Spain

03
Jul 2020

Endovenous cyanoacrylate closure system in lower limb varicose veins assessed in Spain

The Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII) in Spain analyzed the effectiveness and safety of the endovenous ablation of varicose saphenous veins with cyanoacrylate closure system in patients with moderate to severe chronic venous insufficiency compared to surgical procedures, as of saphenous vein stripping, and other endovenous ablation techniques. In the report, published on the website in 2020, it was outlined that despite the limitations found in selected studies, intravenous sealing with cyanoacrylates seems to be a promising alternative to existing treatments, especially in terms of less use of anesthesia and compression bandage, as well as shorter recovery time.
23
Jun 2020

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of several conditions assessed in Spain

In 2019, the Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII) assessed the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the treatment of fibromyalgia, peripheral vascular disease, neurological disease, and others. The report was published online in 2020. The previous assessment, performed in 2018, was related to the use of HBOT in patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
02
Apr 2020

Epicardial closure of left atrial appendage using clips in atrial fibrillation assessed by Spanish AETSA

In February 2020, the Andalusian Health Technology Assessment Department published an assessment report on the evaluation of effectiveness and safety of epicardial closure of left atrial appendage using clips by minimally invasive surgery for thromboembolism prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The scientific evidence about the effectiveness and safety of the left atrial appendage closure through minimally invasive epicardial clipping is inadequate and insufficient; further research is needed.
25
Mar 2020

FoundationOne platform for non-small cell lung cancer assessed by Spanish AETSA

In February 2020, the Andalusian Health Technology Assessment Department published an assessment report on the evaluation of validity, clinical utility, and safety of the next-generation sequencing genomic platform FoundationOne® in non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors. It was observed that it is necessary to carry out new studies to confirm the diagnostic results and the clinical usefulness of the test due to the low quality of existing evidence.
20
Mar 2020

Thermal laser or radiofrequency ablation for benign thyroid nodules assessed by Spanish HTA agency Avalia-T

At the beginning of 2020, the Galician Scientific and Technical Advice Unit released a health technology assessment on the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (TNs) by thermal laser or radiofrequency ablation that aimed to assess its safety and clinical effectiveness compared to standard treatment. The methods were considered safe and effective procedures for the treatment of benign, solid, and symptomatic TNs.
16
Mar 2020

Spanish HTA agency Avalia-T assessed irreversible electroporation for liver and pancreatic cancer

At the beginning of 2020, the Galician Scientific and Technical Advice Unit released a health technology assessment on irreversible electroporation (IRE) for the treatment of liver and pancreatic cancer that aimed to analyze its safety, effectiveness, considerations for use, and the economic, organizational, social, ethical, or legal aspects. The efficacy evidence of IRE in achieving complete ablation is insufficient. Safety evidence is also insufficient as it is unclear whether IRE is safer as the standard treatment.
11
Dec 2019

Strategies preventing urinary tract infections in critical patients assessed by Spanish AQuAS

In October 2019, the Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS) has released an assessment report regarding the evaluation strategies to prevent urinary tract infections associated with urethral/urinary catheters in critical patients in Intensive Care Units. The evidence is not conclusive, but there is scientific evidence that aims for the introduction of review measures for the indication of indwelling urethral/urinary catheters, its use in decubitus, and without kinking.
03
Dec 2019

Scientific evidence on personalized population screening for breast cancer assessed by Spanish AQuAS

In October 2019, the Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS) has released an assessment report regarding the scientific evidence on personalized population screening for breast cancer. The current evidence does not allow to recommend any concrete models for individualized risk prediction for breast cancer but allows to recommend the development and evaluation of new models for personalized risk prediction directed to offering different strategies to the screening of population.
26
Nov 2019

Cerenkov luminescence image projection system for cancer assessed by Spanish AQuAS

In October 2019, the Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS) has released an assessment report regarding the evaluation of Сerenkov luminescence image projection system for intraoperative evaluation of surgical margins in breast, prostate and gastrointestinal cancer. This new technology is expected to get an improvement in the effectiveness of oncological surgery and a reduction in costs.
18
Nov 2019

Epigenetic diagnosis for the primary tumors of unknown origin assessed by Spanish AETSA

In September 2019, the Andalusian Health Technology Assessment Department (AETSA) has released an assessment report regarding the evaluation of epigenetic profiling to classify cancer of unknown primary (EPICUP). It was observed that people received empirical therapy without considering the results of EPICUP had a three times higher risk of dying compared to those with specific treatment of the location of the primary tumor, adjusting due to possible confounding factors.