Focus of the Report: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is standard care to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and risk factors for stroke. Limitations of OAC therapy have spurred the development of nonpharmaceutical approaches to prevent stroke in patients with AF by occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA). LAA occlu…
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.
Venous Sinus Stenting for Treatment of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Focus of the Report: This report focuses on venous sinus stenting (VSS) for treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) that has failed to respond to available drug and conservative treatments.
Technology Description: VSS is an endovascular procedure performed via the jugul…
Liquid Sublingual Immunotherapy
Focus of the Report: This report evaluates the use of liquid sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in the United States.
Technology Description: Liquid SLIT involves the daily administration of a diluted dose of an allergen under the tongue, which allow…
Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation for the Treatment of Chronic Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Adults
Focus of the Report: This report focuses on Eustachian tube balloon dilation (ETBD) for treatment of adults with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) refractory to medical management (MM).
Technology Description: ETBD is a minimally invasive transnasal endoscopic procedure in whic…
Prophylactic Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in Elective Open Abdominal Surgeries
Focus of the Report: This report focuses on the use of prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) as an alternative to standard primary closure of open abdominal wounds following elective surgery with the goal of preventing surgical site infections (SSIs).
Technology Description:
HCV FibroSure (LabCorp) for Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Hepatitis C
Focus of the Report: This report focuses on the HCV-FibroSure blood test for detection and staging of liver damage in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Technology Description: The FibroSure test (marketed as FibroTest outside the United States) measures blood levels of bi…
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Epilepsy in Pediatric Patients
Focus of the Report: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is used as an adjunct to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for the treatment of seizures uncontrolled by medical management, epileptic surgery, or other interventions such as ketogenic diets.
Technology Description: VNS requires the surgical implantation of a pulse generator under the skin of the chest, conne…
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement for Mitral Regurgitation
Focus of the Report: This report focuses on the use of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) for treating mitral regurgitation (MR), backward flow of blood due to a damaged or leaking mitral valve (MV) in the heart.
Technology Description: TMVR is a treatment for MR that uses p…
Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition (IDPN) for End-Stage Renal Disease in Adults
Focus of the Report: This report focuses on intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) for nutritional support in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are undergoing hemodialysis.
Technology Description: IDPN is an intravenous infusion of essential nutrients administered durin…
Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Focus of the Report: The use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the genicular nerves for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee (KOA).
Technology Description: In this report, RFA is defined as ablation of the peripheral nerves of the knee to relieve the pain associated with KOA. The …