Spain

The Andalusian Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AETSA) performed evaluation of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Available evidence was considered as insufficient for formulation of final conclusion. However, AETSA prepared recommendations for evidence generation strategy for this procedure.

The Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment (OSTEBA) published results of assessments of home telemonitoring on patients with heart failure. This intervention was considered as effective and cost-effectiveness technology. However, further research is needed to specify criteria for better application.

Article “Bariatric surgery versus conservative management for morbidly obese patients in Spain: a cost-effectiveness analysis” published in the “Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research” provides insights about economic outcomes of bariatric surgery in Spain using Markov modeling. Over the 10-year horizon, bariatric surgery led to a cost increment of €9,386 and 1.6 additional QALY (€5,966/QALY) compared with optimal medical management. Over lifetime horizon, surgery led to 0.6 life years and 4.4 QALY gains and €300/patient average cost savings.

The Basque Office for Health Technology Assessment (OSTEBA) published results of assessments of different techniques for biopsy of prostate. In accordance to this report, biopsy with image fusion (MRI and ultrasound) can be considered as a first diagnostic option for prostate biopsy.

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.

AETSA aimed to establish recommendations for clinical practice on hip arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis through a systematic appraisal of evidence. High-level recommendations for hip arthroplasty and selection of type of implants were made.