Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation in association with other cardiac surgery

Summary

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation in association with other cardiac surgery.

Description

Atrial fibrillation is the irregular and rapid beating of the upper two chambers of the heart (the atria). It may be classified as paroxysmal, persistent or permanent. Patients with atrial fibrillation may be asymptomatic or they may have symptoms including palpitations, dizziness and breathlessness. They also have an increased risk of stroke as a result of blood clots forming in the left atrium and then embolising to the brain. Although atrial fibrillation may occur in the absence of other heart disease, it is particularly common in patients with mitral valve disease.

Radiofrequency ablation of the atria can be performed via a catheter introduced through a femoral vein but surgical radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation is typically carried out in patients undergoing concomitant open-heart surgery, including mitral valve replacement or repair. Radiofrequency is used to create lines of ablation rather than the incisions created in the traditional Cox maze surgery.

OPCS code:

Codes available dependent on area of ablation:

K57.1 Percutaneous transluminal ablation of atrioventricular node

Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of  organ NOC

or

K57.2 Percutaneous transluminal ablation of conducting system of heart NEC

Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of  organ NOC

or

K57.4 Percutaneous transluminal ablation of accessory pathway

Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of  organ NOC

or

K57.5  Percutaneous transluminal ablation of atrial wall NEC

Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of  organ NOC

or

K62.2 Percutaneous transluminal ablation of atrial wall for atrial flutter

Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of  organ NOC

or

K62.3 Percutaneous transluminal ablation of conducting system of heart for atrial flutter NEC

Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of  organ NOC

or

K52.1 Open ablation of atrioventricular node

Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of  organ NOC

or

K52.8 Other specified open operations on conducting system of heart

Y11.4 Radiofrequency controlled thermal destruction of  organ NOC

 

Note: Codes are dependent on whether the surgery is performed open or transluminally.

_{The NHS Classifications Service of NHS Connecting for Health is the central definitive source for clinical coding guidance and determines the coding standards associated with the classifications (OPCS-4 and ICD-10) to be used across the NHS.   The NHS Classifications Service and NICE work collaboratively to ensure the most appropriate classification codes are provided.  www.connectingforhealth.co.uk/clinicalcoding}

Details

Contact details:

Links:

	IPG121 Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation in association with other cardiac surgery - guidance	25 May 2005
	IPG121 Radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation in association with other cardiac surgery - information for people considering the procedure, and for the public	25 May 2005
	Interventional procedure consultation document - radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation in association with other cardiac surgery	29 December 2004
	Overview of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation in association with other cardiac surgery	29 December 2004