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Transarterial radioembolization for the treatment of hepatic neoplasia : update of the 2010 STE report

Description

The present report is an update to the November 2010 STE Report: Transarterial Radioembolization for the treatment of Hepatic Neoplasia. The past report assessed the effectiveness of TARE for... More ≫

Description

The present report is an update to the November 2010 STE Report: Transarterial Radioembolization for the treatment of Hepatic Neoplasia. The past report assessed the effectiveness of TARE for onsideration as a publically funded health service in Alberta. This update assesses literature published between February 2010 and March 2012 on the effectiveness of TARE for hepatic neoplasia. The results of this update will provide information on the amount of recent research activity into TARE and changes in TARE’s effectiveness.

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An assessment of sleep disordered breathing diagnosis using Level I versus Level III sleep studies : final report

Description

This assessment considers the evidence on using Level I (in-laboratory polysomnography) versus Level III (ambulatory, in-home) sleep studies for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing and... More ≫

Description

This assessment considers the evidence on using Level I (in-laboratory polysomnography) versus Level III (ambulatory, in-home) sleep studies for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing and specific conditions that fall within this disorder.

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STE report : transarterial radioembolization for the treatment of hepatic neoplasia : final STE report

Description

The report reviews the use of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for the treatment of primary and secondary hepatic neoplasia for the purpose of considering its potential as a publically... More ≫

Description

The report reviews the use of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for the treatment of primary and secondary hepatic neoplasia for the purpose of considering its potential as a publically funded health service in Alberta.

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Vitamin D testing : rapid literature review

Description

The clinical utility of testing individuals deemed at average risk for vitamin D deficiency has received the attention of the medical community in recent years. The objectives of this literature... More ≫

Description

The clinical utility of testing individuals deemed at average risk for vitamin D deficiency has received the attention of the medical community in recent years. The objectives of this literature review were: to outline the specific indications for vitamin D testing as reflected in the literature; to identify the number and type of studies for each indication; to review the abstracts of vitamin D randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses; and to review the Health Technology Assessment reports available.

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Point-of-care testing for oral anticoagulant management with portable prothrombin time systems

Description

Atrial fibrillation, venous thrombosis and thromboembolism are common diseases which require oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). The current gold-standard method for monitoring the international... More ≫

Description

Atrial fibrillation, venous thrombosis and thromboembolism are common diseases which require oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). The current gold-standard method for monitoring the international normalized ratio (INR) is laboratory testing of blood obtained by venepuncture. However, patients may find testing to be time consuming and inconvenient. With the development of portable coagulometers it is now possible to measure INR outside the laboratory setting. This review looks at the effectiveness of patient self-management (PSM), patient self-testing (PST) and point-of-care testing (POCT) by health care practitioners using portable coagulometers, compared to conventional laboratory testing.

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Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of Barrett’s esophagus : a systematic review and economic evaluation

Description

Barrett's esophagus is a benign condition, usually caused by long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease. In some individuals the abnormal Barrett's tissue develops precancerous cells. Barrett's... More ≫

Description

Barrett's esophagus is a benign condition, usually caused by long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease. In some individuals the abnormal Barrett's tissue develops precancerous cells. Barrett's esophagus with high grade dysplasia is associated with a higher risk of developing one type of esophageal cancer. Interventions to remove the dysplastic tissue are intended to reduce this risk. Photodynamic therapy is one of several less invasive, endoscopic treatment options for Barrett’s esophagus that offer an alternative to surgical removal of the esophagus. This review assesses the evidence on the safety and effectiveness of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of Barrett's esophagus with high grade dysplasia in comparison to esophagectomy and other endoscopic treatments for this condition. It also examines the social and economic considerations for the provision of PDT in comparison to alternate treatments.

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Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of early esophageal cancer : a systematic review and economic evaluation

Description

Early esophageal cancer refers to cancer that has not spread beyond the mucosal lining of the esophagus or to the lymph nodes. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of several endoscopic techniques... More ≫

Description

Early esophageal cancer refers to cancer that has not spread beyond the mucosal lining of the esophagus or to the lymph nodes. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of several endoscopic techniques used to treat early stage esophageal cancer. It uses a photosensitizing drug that is activated by light to ablate abnormal tissue. This assessment examines the safety and effectiveness of PDT for early stage esophageal cancer, compared to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, combined chemoradiotherapy, and a number of more recently introduced endoscopic techniques. This report also assesses the social and economic considerations associated with PDT compared to other therapies, and the implications of its use in Alberta.

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Artificial disc arthroplasty (ACDA)

Description

Artificial cervical disc arthroplasty (ACDA) is a surgical procedure that may replace cervical fusion in selected patients suffering from cervical degenerative disc disease. The main outcome of... More ≫

Description

Artificial cervical disc arthroplasty (ACDA) is a surgical procedure that may replace cervical fusion in selected patients suffering from cervical degenerative disc disease. The main outcome of ACDA that sets it apart from fusion is the preservation of the spine mobility. The aim of this report is to review the literature for evidence of effectiveness and safety of the cervical artificial disks approved by Health Canada.

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Double balloon endoscopy\enteroscopy (DBE) for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the small intestine

Description

Double balloon endoscopy/ enteroscopy (DBE) is a non-surgical approach that provides access to the entire inner mucosal surface of the small intestine for endoscopic visual examination, biopsy and... More ≫

Description

Double balloon endoscopy/ enteroscopy (DBE) is a non-surgical approach that provides access to the entire inner mucosal surface of the small intestine for endoscopic visual examination, biopsy and treatment. DBE is being heralded as a breakthrough technology because accessing the deep small intestine endoscopically has largely been unsuccessful by conventional approaches. The purpose of this study was to to review the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of DBE and examine the potential social, fiscal and economic impact should it become a publicly funded health service in Alberta.

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Hip replacement and resurfacing : current considerations regarding metal-on-metal arthroplasty

Description

This review summarizes the findings of seven recent health technology reviews on metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (M-MHR). Specifically, this review assesses findings pertaining to the appropriate... More ≫

Description

This review summarizes the findings of seven recent health technology reviews on metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (M-MHR). Specifically, this review assesses findings pertaining to the appropriate clinical indications for M-MHR, its safety, efficacy/effectiveness, cost and cost-effectiveness, and patient outcomes of M-MHR.

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