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Medicare Coverage Database

The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) will discuss and make recommendations concerning the quality of the evidence and related issues for the use of transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) and percutaneious myocardial revascularization (PMR) for treatment of severe angina.   TMR is a surgical technique that uses a laser to bore holes through the myocardium of the heart in an attempt to restore perfusion to areas of the heart not being reached due to diseased or clogged arteries; PMR is a subset of this technique which is less invasive and is used as a late or last resort to relieve symptoms of severe angina in patients suffering ischemic heart disease who are not amenable to direct coronary revascularization interventions such as angioplasty, stenting, or open coronary bypass.  Notice of this action is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2)).

This tracking sheet does not represent a National Coverage Analysis for TMR or PMR.  It only serves to announce the upcoming MCAC meeting.