HTA Projects

The Health Technology Assessment program carries out assessments on a number of topics to support and inform effective, evidence-based decisions about health policy and purchasing, service management, and clinical practice. For current and upcoming projects, search our database by keyword, by category, and by publication type.

For more information on any HTA project, please contact CADTH at htainfo@cadth.ca


  1. Bariatric Surgery for Severe Obesity

    Project Number:H0485
    Research Type:Full Health Technology Assessment Report
    Estimated Publication Date:August 2010
    Project Status Details:Editing and Layout

    This health technology assessment project examines three types of surgical options for treating severe obesity, called bariatric surgery, and what role these play in the treatment of obesity when combined with diet, increased physical activity, behaviour changes, and medications. The three options involve bypassing part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract so less food is absorbed; decreasing the size of the stomach so less food is eaten; or a combination of the two. This assessment compares the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the three types of bariatric surgery with the other treatments for obesity. It will also examine current clinical practice guidelines and recognized “best practices” for delivering service to people who are obese.

  2. Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

    Project Number:H0491
    Research Type:Full Health Technology Assessment Report
    Estimated Publication Date:August 2010
    Project Status Details:Peer Review and Report Approval

    This project examines different treatment options for a common abnormal heart rhythm, called atrial fibrillation (AF). Normally, AF is treated with drugs to stop or control the unusual rhythm of the heart, but there are techniques that can be used to access and destroy the part of the heart causing the abnormal rhythm. These are referred to as ablation therapies and can be performed through minimally invasive approaches, such as a catheter in a leg vein. Ablation therapy for AF can offer some advantages over treatment with drugs, but it can also lead to complications. This assessment will look at the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of ablation therapies and compare them to other treatments for AF. The budget impact of providing ablation therapy for patients with AF and an analysis planning issues and current clinical practice guidelines will also be conducted.

  3. Surgical Robotics for Urology, Gynaecology, Nephrology and Cardiac Procedures

    Project Number:H0496
    Research Type:Full Health Technology Assessment Report
    Estimated Publication Date:Fall 2010
    Project Status Details:Report Writing

    A few Canadian hospitals have developed surgical robotics programs using technology such as the Da Vinci® Surgical System, to help surgeons perform surgery. This technology is however associated with significant capital and operating costs. Given the relatively recent introduction of surgical robotic systems for certain programs of care [prostatectomy, hysterectomy, nephrectomy and cardiac (coronary artery bypass graft and mitral valve repair) procedures], as well as costs related to the acquisition and operation of this technology, an assessment of the clinical, economic, and potential health services impact of surgical robotic systems is needed to inform rational funding decisions in Canada.

  4. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Analysis in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness

    Project Number:M0017
    Research Type:Peer-Reviewed Summary with Critical Appraisal
    Estimated Publication Date:August 2010
    Project Status Details:Report Writing

    A summary of systematically selected evidence with a critical appraisal and policy implications that is peer-reviewed by at least two subject experts.

  5. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Analysis in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Economic Framework

    Project Number:M0018
    Research Type:Peer-Reviewed Summary with Critical Appraisal
    Estimated Publication Date:September 2010
    Project Status Details:Report Writing

    A summary of systematically selected evidence with a critical appraisal and policy implications that is peer-reviewed by at least two subject experts.

  6. Reprocessing of Endoscopy Equipment: Review of Clinical and Cost effectiveness and Guidelines

    Project Number:M0021
    Research Type:Peer-Reviewed Summary with Critical Appraisal
    Estimated Publication Date:Fall 2010
    Project Status Details:Report Writing

    A summary of systematically selected evidence with a critical appraisal and policy implications that is peer-reviewed by at least two subject experts.