Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1093

Endovascular Neurointerventional Procedures

Application No.

1093
Application NameEndovascular Neurointerventional Procedures
Advisory PanelsDr Ewa Piejko
(Chair and MSAC member)
A/Professor Michael Murphy
(Royal Australian College of Surgeons nominee)
Ms Barbara Smith
(Consumers Health Forum of Australia nominee)
Professor Mark Khangure
(Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Cardiologists nominee)
Professor Chris Bladin
(Australian Association of Neurologists nominee)
Professor Craig Anderson
(Australian Association of Neurologists nominee)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat23 December 2004
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 17 May 2006 meeting.

Recommendation for the first two indications:
The MSAC has considered the respective evidence for safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for brain arteriovenous amalgamations and endovascular remobilisation of dual arteriovenous fistulae and carotid cavernous fistulae. The MSAC finds that there is evidence of safety compared with alternative therapies.
There is insufficient evidence to assess effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Given that there are limited treatment options the MSAC recommends that current public funding arrangements should continue.

The MSAC agreed on the following recommendations for the final three indications:
The MSAC has considered the strength of evidence for the safety and effectiveness for endovascular treatments for vasospasm as a complication of subarachnoid haemorrhage, endovascular treatments for arterial atherosclerosis and endovascular treatment of intracranial arteries in acute stroke and finds that there is insufficient evidence of safety and effectiveness. The MSAC recommends that public funding for these interventions should not be supported.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing 24 August 2006
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented

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