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Services for cardiac conditions such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can be organised into specialist cardiac networks. Eighty-two specialist cardiac networks (ACS-related [n=75]; non ACS-related [n=7]) were identified, located across 21 countries. In general, increased efficiencies associated with the establishment of the ACS-related networks were reported, both in terms of improvements in time-to-treatment and the proportion of patients receiving primary PCI. [Extracted from the article]

We aimed to develop and pilot a tool for critically appraising SRs of economic evaluations (CASREE) during the development of an Irish national clinical guideline (NCG) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We developed and piloted a critical appraisal tool (CASREE) to appraise SRs of CEAs during the development of an Irish NCG for COPD. We believe that CASREE will facilitate rapid decision-making, reduce research duplication and improve the quality of reporting SRs of CEAs. [Extracted from the article]

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne virus which may not become symptomatic until decades following exposure. Economic evaluations comparing birth cohort screening with no screening or risk-based screening, where patients were treated with DAAs, were eligible for inclusion. One study found that birth cohort screening dominated no screening. [Extracted from the article]

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication (Tenovofir disoproxil) taken to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in individuals at high risk of contracting HIV. Outcomes were reported as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) using cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained/saved, disability-adjusted life years and life years saved. The key drivers pertaining to cost-effectiveness were the lifetime cost of HIV and the efficacy and cost of PrEP medication. [Extracted from the article]

Recommendations for the organisation of centres providing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are inconsistent. Guidance documents (guidelines, position papers, recommendations and standards) that provided recommendations for centres providing PCI were included. Using the AGREE II tool, the guidance documents scored well in terms of stating the scope and purpose and clearly presenting the recommendations, but scored poorly in the rigour of development domain (as the evidence base underpinning the recommendations was often unclear). [Extracted from the article]

Previous systematic reviews have found a significant inverse relationship between procedural volumes and mortality for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). A systematic review was undertaken for the period 01/01/2008 to 28/05/2019 with four primary outcomes: the relationship between postoperative (inpatient/30-day) mortality and 1) total PCI (any indication) hospital volume; 2) total PCI operator volume; 3) primary PCI (emergent indications) hospital volume; 4) primary PCI operator volume. A volume-outcome relationship may still exist in favour of high-volume hospitals and operators, although this relationship appears to be attenuating with time and there is very low certainty of evidence. [Extracted from the article]