Authors' objectives: The CEDIT assessed the value of the therapeutic method called "aquapheresis", a process aiming to reduce the fluid overload of patients with congestive heart failure in a non-pharmacological way.

Authors' recommendations: Give the possibility to AP-HP to acquire and use the system of aquapheresis Aquadex FlexFlow™, for patients with congestive heart failure who have a contraindication or resist to drug treatment, in particular diuretics. Indeed, for these patients, the aquapheresis would satisfy a medical need not completely covered and would be a useful therapeutic alternative. This technology should be installed in a limited number of centers treating this kind of patients and where the organizational constraints and the cooperation between different health professionals leave room for hope of favorable results. According to available economic data, the cost of care involving this technology would exceed that of the French CCAM procedure for this activity. In the event that this technology is adopted on a larger scale, an action aimed at upgrading the procedure or the corresponding DRG could be considered. Despite already available research, a study to better define the use of aquapheresis and identify patients who could benefit the most of this technology would be useful. If a national evaluation was to be considered, a PHRC with economic secondary criteria or a PRME would be suitable for evaluating aquapheresis at this stage of development.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: http://cedit.aphp.fr/aquapheresis-ultrafiltartion-congestive-heart-failure/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Organisation Name: Cellule Innovation of the AP-HP

Copyright: Comite d´Evaluation et de Diffusion des Innovations Technologiques (CEDIT)