High-intensity focused ultrasound 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 High-intensity focused ultrasound 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 is the most common type of arrhythmia, affecting approximately 0.5% of the adult population. The incidence increases markedly with age.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation for atrial fibrillation can be performed with or without cardiopulmonary bypass and is usually performed concomitant with another cardiac procedure. Electrophysiology testing is usually performed before the procedure to identify and map the source of the abnormal electrical signals. The procedure involves placing an ultrasound device on the outside of a beating heart, which delivers focused ultrasound energy across the wall of the heart. Absorption of the ultrasound energy creates a rise in temperature, which destroys the cardiac tissue within the focal area.

OPCS code:

Codes available dependent on area of ablation:

K57.1 Percutaneous transluminal ablation of atrioventricular node

Y11.5 Ultrasonic destruction of organ NOC

or

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

Y11.5 Ultrasonic destruction of organ NOC

or

K57.4 Percutaneous transluminal ablation of accessory pathway

Y11.5 Ultrasonic destruction of organ NOC

or

K57.5  Percutaneous transluminal ablation of atrial wall NEC

Y11.5 Ultrasonic destruction of organ NOC

or

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

Y11.5 Ultrasonic destruction of organ NOC

or

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

Y11.5 Ultrasonic destruction of organ NOC

or

K52.1 Open ablation of atrioventricular node

Y11.5 Ultrasonic destruction of organ NOC

or

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

Y11.5 Ultrasonic 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:

	IPG184 High-intensity focused ultrasound for atrial fibrillation as an associated procedure with other cardiac surgery - guidance	26 July 2006
	IPG184 High-intensity focused ultrasound for atrial fibrillation as an associated procedure with other cardiac surgery - information for the public	26 July 2006
	IPG184 High-intensity focused ultrasound for atrial fibrillation as an associated procedure with other cardiac surgery - information for the public (Word version)	26 July 2006
	Interventional procedures consultation document - high intensity focused ultrasound ablation for atrial fibrillation as an associated procedure with other cardiac surgery	03 January 2006
	Interventional procedures overview - high intensity focused ultrasound ablation for atrial fibrillation as an associated procedure with other cardiac surgery	03 January 2006