The European Health Technology Assessment Network (EUnetHTA) Work Package 5B1, is focused on testing the levels of cross-border collaboration on real world data for supporting reimbursement/pricing decision-making. Within this Work Package, we are conducting a pilot on Left Ventricular Assist Device on destination therapy in collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, UK), the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre (KCE, Belgium) and the Italian National Agency for Regional Health Services (AGENAS, Italy). This pilot aims to define the minimum data set for gathering and sharing high quality registry data on key uncertainties found at the time of the health technology assessment (HTA). Furthermore, the pilot will assess the feasibility of carrying out a common analysis or reusing this data for National or Joint Reassessments.

Evidence gaps were based on the four national assessments. Collaborating partners were responsible for agreeing on the key outcomes and proposing the minimum dataset to be registered. European clinical experts and patients rated and prioritized the dataset using a two round Delphi technique (not relevant, important but not critical; critical). The dataset will confirm the basis for the Spanish LVAD registry, implemented at the national health service level to inform inclusion into the healthcare portfolio.

The key outcomes agreed upon by agencies relate to safety, effectiveness, satisfaction and acceptability of the patient and cost-effectiveness, budget impact and organizational impact. Expert cardiologists and cardiac surgeons representing the European and Spanish Society, among others, participated in the prioritization of basic data. The final dataset is expected by December 2020.

The variation in the quality and definition of outcome measures for measuring key evidence gaps reduces the utility of registries for HTA, making it difficult to compare, link, and aggregate data across countries. The EUnetHTA pilot is intended to offer a model for cross-border collaboration on real world data for supporting the decision-making process for pricing and reimbursement.