Application Detail

Status

Closed

Description of Medical Service

The medical service is the percutaneous insertion of a left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device to occlude the left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The LAA is the primary source for thromboembolism in patients with NVAF. The procedure aims at preventing stroke and systemic thromboembolism by closing off the LAA permanently to avoid the formation and migration of emboli to the brain.

The implantation procedure uses standard transseptal techniques. The access sheath and delivery catheter permit device placement in the LAA via femoral venous access and inter-atrial septum crossing into the left atrium. The device is unsheathed when in the appropriate position.

The procedure is performed under local or general anaesthesia by an interventional cardiologist or cardiac electrophysiologist in a catheterisation laboratory under guidance of fluoroscopy and TOE. The procedure takes approximately 60 minutes.

Description of Medical Condition

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and a key risk factor for ischaemic strokes. A thrombus can form when blood becomes trapped in the LAA due to fibrillation. When the thrombus becomes dislodged it migrates through the arterial system towards the brain, resulting in vascular occlusion from the thromboembolism which may cause an ischemic stroke. Ischemic strokes can lead to a large number of complications including hemi-paralysis, speech deficits, dysphasia, and even death.

Reason for Application

New MBS item

Medical Service Type

Therapeutic

Previous Application Number

1347

Associated Documentation

Application Form

-

PICO Confirmation

As per Application 1347

Assessment Report

-

Public Summary Document

Public Summary Document (PDF 406 KB)
Public Summary Document (Word 144 KB)

Consumer Friendly Public Summary Document (PSD)

Consumer Friendly PSD (PDF 296 KB)
Consumer Friendly PSD (Word 17 KB)

Consumer Friendly PSDs - The Basics

The Basics (PDF 190 KB)
The Basics (Word 29 KB)

Meetings for this Application

PASC

-

ESC

9 June 2016

MSAC

28 July 2016