Issues in Emerging Health Technologies, now renamed to Horizon Scans, is a series of concise bulletins describing drug and non-drug technologies that are not yet used (or widely diffused) in Canada; in most cases, Health Canada’s approval is anticipated in the next six to 18 months. Bulletins include a description of the emerging technology, patient indications, regulatory status, adverse effects, costs, anticipated diffusion rates, implementation issues, and a discussion of the reliability and quality of available evidence. While the bulletins analyze all available data, the evidence base is generally insufficient to permit a meta-analysis of individual trials or other statistical analyses. Each bulletin is peer-reviewed by two or more external clinical experts.

Contents

• 180. Inclisiran: A Small Interfering RNA Molecule for Treating Hypercholesterolemia
  Mariana Klinovski, Michel Boucher, Christine Perras, and Aleksandra Grobelna.
  Published online: December 1, 2019.
  • Summary
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Administration and Cost
  • Target Population
  • Current Practice
  • Summary of the Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 179. An Overview of Liquid Biopsy for Screening and Early Detection of Cancer
  Tara Cowling and Hannah Loshak.
  Published online: November 1, 2019.
  • Summary
  • Background
  • What is Liquid Biopsy?
  • How It Works
  • The Technologies
  • Regulatory Availability
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Technical and Feasibility Considerations
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 176. Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression
  Bryanna Nicole Tibensky, Louis de Léséleuc, Christine Perras, and Lory Picheca.
  Published online: April 1, 2019.
  • Summary
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Cost and Administration
  • Target Population
  • Current Practice
  • Summary of Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • References
• 175. An Overview of Clinical Applications of 3-D Printing and Bioprinting
  Jeff Mason, Sarah Visintini, and Teo Quay.
  Published online: April 1, 2019.
  • Background
  • Methods
  • The Technology
  • Emergence of 3-D Printing and Bioprinting in Canada
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Clinical Applications of 3-D Printing
  • Clinical Applications of Bioprinting
  • Other Health-Related Applications of 3-D Printing and Bioprinting
  • Implementation Issues
  • Considerations for Evaluation and Assessment of 3-D Printing and Bioprinting Technologies
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 172. New Technologies for the Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease
  Leigh-Ann Topfer and Carolyn Spry.
  Published online: April 1, 2018.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 171. Gene Therapy: An Overview of Approved and Pipeline Technologies
  Alison Sinclair, Saadul Islam, and Sarah Jones.
  Published online: March 1, 2018.
  • Scope
  • Methods
  • Background
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • The Technologies
  • Regulatory and Development Status
  • Costs
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Canadian Gene Therapy Initiatives
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 170. A Gene Expression Test to Assess the Likelihood of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
  Jeff Mason and Nina Frey.
  Published online: March 1, 2018.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 169. Voretigene Neparvovec: An Emerging Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Inherited Blindness
  Utsav Patel, Michel Boucher, Louis de Léséleuc, and Sarah Visintini.
  Published online: March 1, 2018.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Patient Group
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Adverse Events
  • Administration and Costs
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Rate of Technology Diffusion
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 168. A Noncultured Autologous Skin Cell Spray Graft for the Treatment of Burns
  Brit Cooper-Jones and Sarah Visintini.
  Published online: March 1, 2018.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Current Practice
  • Methods
  • Literature Search
  • Study Selection
  • Peer Review
  • The Evidence
  • ReCell Versus Conservative Management for Patients With Superficial Partial-Thickness Burns
  • ReCell Versus Split-Thickness Skin Grafting for Patients With Deep Partial-Thickness Burns
  • ReCell as an Adjunct Treatment for Patients With Severe Burns, With Full-Thickness Components
  • ReCell Versus Conservative Management for the Treatment of Donor Site Wounds
  • Hospital Length of Stay
  • Cost Evaluations
  • Safety
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 167. Monoclonal Antibodies to Prevent Migraine Headaches
  Abas Ibekwe, Pharm D Candidate, Christine Perras, and Monika Mierzwinski-Urban.
  Published online: February 1, 2018.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Cost and Administration
  • Target Population
  • Current Practice
  • Summary of the Evidence
  • Results
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • Appendix 1. Small-Molecule CGRP Receptor Antagonists to Treat Acute Migraine No Longer in Development
  • References
• 166. Newer Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes: An Emerging Adjunctive Therapy to Insulin for Type 1 Diabetes?
  Elissa Aeng, Michel Boucher, and Melissa Severn.
  Published online: January 1, 2018.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Patient Group
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Administration and Cost
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Rate of Technology Diffusion
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 165. Alternating Electric Fields (“Tumour-Treating Fields”) for the Treatment of Glioblastoma
  Leigh-Ann Topfer and Kelly Farrah.
  Published online: January 1, 2018.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 164. A Rapid Test for Microbial Identification in Patients With Suspected Sepsis
  Brit Cooper-Jones and Kelly Farrah.
  Published online: September 1, 2017.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Current Practice
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Methods
  • References
• 163. Injectable Extended-Release Naltrexone to Treat Opioid Use Disorder
  Sarah Ndegwa, Sirjana Pant, Sheri Pohar, and Monika Mierzwinski-Urban.
  Published online: August 1, 2017.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Patient Group
  • Current Practice
  • Methods
  • The Evidence
  • Adverse Effects
  • Cost
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 162. Patient-Controlled Carbon Dioxide Tissue Expansion for Breast Reconstruction
  Leigh-Ann Topfer and Aleksandra Grobelna.
  Published online: July 1, 2017.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Patient Group
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 161. Emerging Drugs for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
  Fady Shawi, Christine Perras, and Melissa Severn.
  Published online: June 1, 2017.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Target Population
  • Current Practice
  • Summary of the Evidence
  • Administration and Cost
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
  • Appendix 1. Mechanism of Action
  • Appendix 2. Characteristics and Results of Phase IIb and Phase III Clinical Trials
  • Appendix 3. Ongoing Phase III Clinical Trials for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
• 160. Prevention of Plantar Ulcers in People With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Using Pressure-Sensing Shoe Insoles
  Wendy L. Schneider and Melissa Severn.
  Published online: June 1, 2017.
  • Issue
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Who Might Benefit
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Safety
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Rate of Technology Diffusion
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 159. A Transdermal Glucagon Patch for Severe Hypoglycemia
  Eugenia Palylyk-Colwell and Caitlyn Ford.
  Published online: June 1, 2017.
  • Issue
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 158. Flash Glucose Monitoring System for Diabetes
  Eugenia Palylyk-Colwell and Caitlyn Ford.
  Published online: June 1, 2017.
  • Issue
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 157. Islet Cell Replacement Therapy for Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
  Brit Cooper-Jones and Caitlyn Ford.
  Published online: June 1, 2017.
  • Issue
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Who might benefit?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 156. Point-of-Care Glycated Hemoglobin Testing to Diagnose Type 2 Diabetes
  Vicki Foerster and Melissa Severn.
  Published online: June 1, 2017.
  • Issue
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 155. A Hybrid Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery System for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
  Vicki Foerster and Melissa Severn.
  Published online: June 1, 2017.
  • Issue
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Cost
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 154. Mobile Stroke Units for Prehospital Care of Ischemic Stroke
  Jeff Mason.
  Published online: June 1, 2017.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Availability
  • How Much Does It Cost?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Triage
  • Safety
  • Cost-Effectiveness
  • Other Uses
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 151. I_funny Channel Inhibitors: An Emerging Option for Heart Failure
  Yujeong Kim, Michel Boucher, and Charlene Argáez.
  Published online: January 30, 2017.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Patient Group
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Adverse Events
  • Administration and Cost
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Rate of Technology of Diffusion
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 150. Wearable Artificial Kidneys for End-Stage Kidney Disease
  Leigh-Ann Topfer.
  Published online: January 30, 2017.
  • Background
  • Current Practice
  • The Technology
  • Availability
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • The Evidence
  • Administration and Cost
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Rate of Technology Diffusion
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 149. Point-of-Care Testing for Influenza
  Jeff Mason.
  Published online: November 3, 2016.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Who Might Benefit?
  • Availability
  • How Much Does It Cost?
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Implementing Point-of-Care Influenza Tests
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
• 148. PAR-1 Antagonists: An Emerging Antiplatelet Drug Class
  Howard Pan, Michel Boucher, and David Kaunelis.
  Published online: September 30, 2016.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Patient Group
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Adverse Effects
  • Administration and Cost
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Rate of Technology Diffusion
  • Implementation Issues
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
• 147. GPS Locator Devices for People With Dementia
  Leigh-Ann Topfer.
  Published online: August 31, 2016.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • People Who May Benefit
  • Current Practice
  • The Evidence
  • Adverse Effects
  • Administration and Cost
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Rate of Technology Diffusion
  • Implementation Issues
  • Final Remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • Note:
  • References
• 146. Portable Compression to Prevent Venous Thromboembolism After Hip and Knee Surgery: The ActiveCare System
  Leigh-Ann Topfer.
  Published online: March 31, 2016.
  • Background
  • The Technology
  • Regulatory Status
  • Patient Group
  • Current Practice
  • Methods
  • The Evidence
  • Adverse Events
  • Administration and Cost
  • Concurrent Developments
  • Rate of Technology Diffusion
  • Implementation Issues
  • References

Emerging Health Technologies was renamed to Horizon Scans on Oct. 29, 2021, with volume 1 issue 180.