Review of NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance No.88; Dual-chamber pacemakers for symptomatic bradycardia due to sick sinus syndrome and/or atrioventricular block

The Institute had proposed that the guidance be withdrawn and the existing funding direction be removed.

During the consultation, many comments received disagreed with the proposal, stating that they would like to see the funding direction for the use of dual chamber pacemakers remain. 

After consideration of the comments (attached as Appendix A), the Institute’s Guidance Executive has decided that withdrawing TA88 may not be the most appropriate course of action. 

Whilst there is no requirement to review the evidence for the population for whom dual chamber pacing is currently recommended, the results of the DANPACE study suggest that an update of the recommendations in relation to the exceptions to the current positive recommendations for the use of dual chamber pacing is necessary. 

An update of the existing technology appraisal will be planned into the appraisals work programme, focusing only on the populations identified as excepted from the circumstances for using dual chamber pacing recommended in TA88.

December 2012