The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on percutaneous laser revascularistion for refractory angina pectoris. Full guidance has also been published on laser transmyocardial revascularistion for refractory angina pectoris.


Patients with refractory angina pectoris have chest pain (because of insufficient oxygen delivery to their heart muscle) that cannot be controlled by optimal medical or surgical management. Percutaneous laser revascularisation involves insertion of a catheter into major vessels of the groin, which is advanced to the heart, to drill holes on the heart muscle using a laser beam. The aim is to enable blood flow from the heart chambers into the heart muscle, to relieve myocardial ischaemia and reduce chest pain.

Coding recommendations

K23.4 Revascularisation of wall of heart

Includes: Revascularisation of heart

Y08.5 Laser modification of organ NOC

Y53.4 Approach to organ under fluoroscopic control


Note: U20.1 Transthoracic echocardiography, U20.2 Transoesophageal echocardiography, U20.3 Intravascular echocardiography or U20.4 Epicardial echocardiography is also assigned when echocardiography is used during the procedure.

In addition a code from the ICD-10 category I20.- Angina pectoris would be recorded.

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