Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1042

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT)

Application No.

1042

Application NameCardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT)
Advisory PanelAssociate Professor John Atherton
(Chair from March 2005 and MSAC member)
Mr Stephen Blamey
(Chair of MSAC)
Dr John Primrose
(Chair until March 2005and MSAC member)
Professor Richmond Jeremy
(co-opted member)
Professor Michael Sage
(Royal Australian College of Radiologists nominee)
Dr Ivan Kayne
(Consumers' Health Forum of Australia)
Associate Professor Peter MacDonald
(Cardiac Society and Royal Australian College of GP's nominee)
Dr Darryl McGill
(co-opted member)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat1 March 2001
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted

(A 96-week "STOP CLOCK" was instigated during the assessment period due to applicant delays).
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 24 August 2005 meeting.

On the strength of evidence pertaining to safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, the MSAC recommends that public funding should be supported for the use of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients who have moderate to severe chronic heart failure (NYHA class III or IV) despite optimised medical therapy and who meet all of the following criteria - sinus rhythm, left ventricular ejection fraction of less than or equal to 35% and a QRS duration greater than or equal to 120ms.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing 28 November 2005
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented