In 2012, the Dutch National Health Care Institute (Zorginstituut Nederland, ZIN) assessed the application of one-way endobronchial valves for endobronchial lung volume reduction (LVR) in relation to satisfaction criteria of “state of science and practice”. At that time evidence was considered as insufficient to give a positive conclusion.
In 2016, the new evidence became available, and ZIN re-evaluated the procedure of LVR using one-way endobronchial valves. Based on current evidence ZIN considers that one-way endobronchial valves are effective in concerned indication and therefore fulfills the criteria of “state of science and practice”. Therefore, it can be a part of a basic health insurance package for patients with severe emphysema (III and IV GOLD stages) and insufficiency of drug treatment.
In accordance with the report, there are about 25-120 patients per year that can be treated with this procedure in the Netherlands.
This position entered into force on 14th of September, 2017.
See full-text position paper in Dutch here.
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