Purpose of Technology: Patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) overproduce partially mature, abnormal white blood cells of the myeloid lineage. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a procedure in which patients undergo high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiothera…
Health Technology Assessments
Health Technology Assessments (HTAs) are a comprehensive systematic review and critical analysis of available evidence for A SINGLE medical technology for which there are several published clinical trials and a substantial body of evidence. This report details an entire technology class for which there are one or more indications or patient populations in use.
Our analysts evaluate clinical trial data, along with information regarding safety issues, coverage policies from the private and public sectors, regulatory approvals, consensus statements, and an overall projection of the potential clinical efficacy and economic impact of the technology. Reports are reviewed annually up to 5 years post publication to determine if there is new literature or evidence that would impact a change in rating and warrant an updated report.
Comparative Effectiveness of Cryoablation and Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Purpose of Technology: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a supraventricular, accelerated heart rhythm characterized by uncoordinated atrial activation that leads to inefficient, irregular atrial contraction. Minimally invasive catheter ablation procedures, such as cryoablation (CA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), aim to relieve…
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Influence of Pretransplant Treatment and Conditioning Strategies on Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Effectiveness for Treatment of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Purpose of Technology: Patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) have an overproduction of partially mature white blood cells of the myeloid lineage. High doses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy can destroy bone marrow producing the abnormal cells but normal cells are also affected. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem ce…
Bronchial Thermoplasty for Treatment of Asthma
Purpose of Technology: Bronchial thermoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment that uses heat to reduce the smooth muscle in the lungs that constricts the airway during asthma attacks. This procedure is intended for treatment of severe, persistent asthma in patients who are age 18 years or older and who have asthma that has…
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for Plaque Characterization and Stent Implantation
Purpose of Technology: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) relies on detection of reflected infrared light to generate a highly detailed, magnified view of a thin layer of tissue. This technology has been adapted to percutaneous catheters and is being used to examine…
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Everolimus- and Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents for Coronary Artery Disease
Purpose of Technology: Drug-eluting stents (DES) are a device/drug combination product consisting of a coronary stent coated in an antiproliferative drug. Stents are placed within an obstructed artery during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reestablish blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and zotarolimus-eluting …
Panniculectomy for Treatment of Symptomatic Panniculi
Purpose of Technology: The purpose of panniculectomy is to remove a panniculus, a large fold of redundant abdominal skin and subcutaneous fat that forms in obese individuals. Because it can hang down over the pubis and groin, a panniculus may cause various skin problems that are difficult to heal (e.g., irritation, rash, inflammation, skin breakdown, ulcers, hygiene issues) or…
Comparative Effectiveness of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Versus Drug-Based Strategies for Treatment of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Purpose of Technology: Patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) have an overproduction of partially mature white blood cells of the myeloid lineage. High doses of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy can destroy bone marrow producing the abnormal cells but normal cells are also affected. Allo…
Laparoscopic and Open Surgical Repairs for Treatment of Athletic Groin Pain
Purpose of Technology: Laparoscopic and open surgical techniques may be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions associated with chronic groin pain in athletes after conservative therapies such as rest, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and steroids have failed. Athletic groin pain is thought to result from injury, abnormal tension, and/or weakness i…
Comparative Effectiveness Review of Biolimus-Eluting Stents Versus Bare-Metal Stents and Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents
Purpose of Technology: Drug-eluting stents (DES) are a device/drug combination product consisting of a coronary stent coated in an antiproliferative drug. Stents are placed within an obstructed artery during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to reestablish blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Biolimus-eluting stents (BES) are a group of biodegradab…