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 Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
It replaces the previous guidance on Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) (NICE interventional procedures guidance 35, January 2004).
Description
Coronary artery disease (also called coronary heart disease or ischaemic heart disease) happens when the build-up of a fatty substance narrows or blocks the arteries restricting supply of blood to the heart muscle, which may cause chest pain (angina) or a heart attack.
Coronary artery bypass grafting aims to improve the flow of blood to the heart muscle. The surgeon uses a healthy blood vessel, usually taken from the chest or the leg, and attaches it on the heart muscle so that blood can get round (‘bypass’) the affected part of the coronary artery.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.