Summary In conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), which requires open heart surgery, the aortic valve is replaced with a prosthetic valve that is sutured into place. Up to one-third of...

Informing Decision-Makers About Emerging Medical Device Technologies Issue 17 - June 2016 This issue of Health Technology Update features brief summaries of the evidence on a broad range of medical...

Summary Venous thromboembolism (VTE) (clots that form in a vein) is a common, but largely preventable, complication after orthopedic surgery. Preventive drug therapy (with anticoagulants or...

Informing Decision-Makers About Emerging Medical Technologies Issue 16 - December 2015 Health Technology Update presents brief articles about new, emerging, or innovative health technologies. As in...

Summary Barrett esophagus, also called Barrett’s esophagus (BE), can be a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma — the most common type of esophageal cancer in Canada. Identifying individuals with BE...

Summary ReWalk is a powered exoskeleton — an external brace-like, lower-limb orthotic device. ReWalk may allow adults with mobility impairment to stand, sit, walk, turn, and navigate stairs. Four...

Summary Leadless pacemakers may provide an alternative to traditional pacemakers for the treatment of patients with cardiac arrhythmias who require single-chamber ventricular pacing. Two leadless...

Summary Antimicrobial copper surfaces are an emerging new approach to supplement standard infection control practices for the prevention of health care–associated infections (HAIs). Antimicrobial...

Summary NephroCheck is a point-of-care urine test that flags two biomarkers that indicate if a critically ill patient is at risk for acute kidney injury (AKI). The evidence suggests that the...

Summary Pressure ulcers are a serious health problem for many patients, and treating those ulcers incurs substantial health care costs. Most pressure ulcers are preventable. Initial studies suggest...