Applications

1354 – Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guided coronary stent insertion

Find out about the service or technology in this application and the medical condition it addresses. You can also view the application documents, the deadlines for providing consultation input and the outcome of the application when the MSAC process is complete.

  • Status Complete
  • Type New application
  • Pre-PASC consultation -
  • Pre-MSAC consultation -
  • Outcome Not supported

Application details

Reason for application

New MBS item.

Service or technology in this application

IVUS - is the generic name for any ultrasound technology that is used in vivo within blood vessels. Intracoronary IVUS provides a tomographic, 360-degree view of the coronary artery anatomy from the inside during the percutaneous coronary intervention with stent insertion procedure.

With intracoronary IVUS, a catheter is inserted into a coronary artery where high-frequency sound waves reflect off tissue or vessel walls. The reflected sound waves create a cross-sectional image from within the vessel to aid in visualising vessel structure. IVUS technology provides physicians with a better understanding of atherosclerotic vessels, supporting appropriate treatment strategy, stent selection, stent placement and adequate deployment to restore blood flow at the target site.

Type: Therapeutic

Medical condition this application addresses

Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as ischaemic heart disease or atherosclerotic heart disease is the most common form of cardiovascular disease.

CHD occurs as a result of narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries. Healthy coronary arteries are smooth and elastic but atherosclerosis arises when the normal lining of the arteries deteriorates, the walls of the arteries thicken and deposits of fat and plaque build-up on the coronary artery walls, blocking or limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

Without adequate blood, the heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to work properly. This can cause chest pain called angina. When one or more of the coronary arteries are completely blocked a heart attack may occur.

Meetings to consider this application

  • PASC meeting: 16 to 17 April 2014
  • ESC meeting: 12 to 13 February 2015
  • MSAC meeting: 1 to 2 April 2015