MedTech-related health technology assessments from NIHR in September 2021

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funds valuable independent research for health and social care decision-makers in England. Reports from the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme are published in the NIHR HTA Journal and inform NICE guidance.

In September 2021, two MedTech-related assessments were published in the NIHR HTA Journal:

• Non-invasive imaging software to assess the functional significance of coronary stenoses: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Two products were assessed: QAngio XA 3D/QFR (three-dimensional/quantitative flow ratio) and CAAS vFFR (vessel fractional flow reserve). It was concluded that the quantitative flow ratio measured by QAngio XA 3D/QFR has a good agreement and diagnostic accuracy compared with invasive FFR and is preferable to standard invasive coronary angiography alone. QAngio XA 3D/QFR has similar cost-effectiveness to invasive FFR and, therefore, could be a reasonable alternative. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CAAS vFFR are uncertain.
• A prognostic model, including quantitative fetal fibronectin, to predict preterm labor: the QUIDS meta-analysis and prospective cohort study Measurement of fetal fibronectin in vaginal fluid is a biochemical test that can indicate impending preterm birth. It was concluded that a prognostic model including quantitative fetal fibronectin and clinical risk factors showed excellent performance in the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth within seven days of the test. The model is cost-effective and can be used to help guide management decisions for women with threatened preterm labor. The model will be embedded in electronic maternity records and a mobile application, enabling further data collection for refinement and validation.

See the full details here.

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