Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage in non-valvular atrial fibrillation for the prevention of thromboembolism.
It replaces the previous guidance on Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage for atrial fibrillation (NICE interventional procedures guidance 181, June 2006).
Description
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the irregular and rapid beating of the upper two chambers of the heart (the atria) which increases the risk of stroke. In people with AF, blood clots often form in the left atrial appendage, which is a small sac off the left atrium. These clots can travel in the blood to the brain, where they may block the blood flow, causing a stroke. In this procedure, a special device is inserted that blocks the mouth of the left atrial appendage in order to prevent migration of the blood clot.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance