National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Optical Coherence Tomography to guide percutaneous coronary intervention, in February 2014.

Description

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses a catheter emitting near-infrared light to produce high-resolution images of blood vessel walls. It may be used to assess stenotic lesions in the coronary arteries and to image the result of stent deployment during percutaneous coronary interventions.

Coronary angiography is used to image coronary arteries immediately before angioplasty. Intravascular ultrasound or OCT may be used to provide additional and complementary information to coronary angiography.

Coding recommendations

K51.8 Other specified diagnostic transluminal operations on coronary artery

Y53.4 Approach to organ under fluoroscopic control

 

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)