Coronary interventions

On October 30, 2020, the Swiss Federal Statistics Office (UFS) published the 2021 version of the procedure code (CHOP) nomenclature in French and Italian. The version in the German language was published in July 2020. The most important changes regard cardiovascular and peripheral vascular interventions.

In October 2020, a completed mini-method assessment for the coronary sinus reducer stent (Neovasc) implantation in refractory angina pectoris treatment was published within the New Methods framework. The Oslo University Hospital carried out the evaluation. The technology was recommended for routine use in hospitals.

On August 6, 2020, the Ministry of Solidarity and Health published an Order (of August 4, 2020) listing the rotational atherectomy systems ROTAPRO and ROTALINK PLUS of the company Boston Scientific under Title V of the list of reimbursable products and services provided for in Article L. 165-1 of the Social Security Code (LPPR List).

The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) investigated the extent to which evidence is available for the benefit and harm of non-invasive computed tomography angiography (CTA) and stress diagnostics using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in people with suspected coronary heart disease (CAD) using evidence mapping.

In July 2020, the Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment (AIHTA) published five decision support documents. The assessed technologies included implantation of a wireless pulmonary artery pressure sensor in patients with advanced heart failure, intrauterine ultrasound-guided transcervical radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous transvascular implantation of a coronary sinus reducing stent, radiofrequency-induced intravesical chemohyperthermia for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, and Vascular photodynamic therapy with Padeliporfin (Tookad® solution).

The report presents a summary of reimbursement situation for use of Embolic Protection Devices during percutaneous cardiac procedures (PCI and TAVI). The analysis covers procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariffs and policy restrictions in 11 EU countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.

The French National Authority for Health (HAS) regularly publishes new decisions about add-on reimbursement for medical devices. The decisions made in November 2018 concern various types of devices. The decisions were brought for twenty-two (22) medical devices.

EUnetHTA is a network of HTA bodies within Europe that promote the development of health technology assessment in all European countries by working together. This article will present the plans for the projects that will be published in the near future.

Minister of Health announced that it is planned to re-equip 609 vascular surgery centers. In parallel, about 30 departments will be upgraded to the level of the regional vascular centers, which will increase their capacity. Ministry plans that these efforts will help to double number of primary coronary interventions in acute coronary syndrome in Russia.

In the first half of May, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published one new interventional procedure guidance for percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty for fetal critical aortic stenosis and three new medtech innovation briefings for patient position monitoring system for intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery, 3D/QFR imaging software to assess coronary fractional flow reserve non-invasively and point-of-care tests for diagnosing group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus (strep A) throat infection.

A 155-page reimbursement report covers coronary angioplasty (using a plain and drug-coated balloon, bare metal, drug-eluting and bioresorbable stents), mechanical thrombectomy and atherectomy in hospital settings. The analysis covers procedure coding, payment mechanism, reimbursement tariff and policy restrictions. The report provides an overview of reimbursement situation in 11 EU countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Annual report from the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GISE) shows increasing trends in procedural volume of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), transcatheter aortic valve implantations (TAVI), mitral clip implantations, closure of left atrial appendage (LAA) and patent foramen ovale (PFO).