Review of NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance No.249; Dabigatran etexilate for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation, No. 256; Rivaroxaban for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation, and No. 275; Apixaban for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation with one or more risk factor for stroke or systemic embolism

The Institute was proposing that the recommendations from TA249 and TA256 and the recommendations on apixaban will be incorporated, verbatim, into the ongoing update of clinical guideline 36 ‘Atrial fibrillation’.

During consultation, the majority of comments received by the Institute agreed with the proposal put forward.  After consideration of all of the comments (attached as appendix A), the Institute’s Guidance Executive has decided to proceed with the proposal.

Consequently the recommendations from TA249 and TA256 will be incorporated, verbatim, into the ongoing update of CG36.  The recommendations for apixaban have now been published (TA275) and will also be incorporated into the ongoing update of CG36.  All three appraisals will be moved to the static list of technology appraisals and will remain extant once the guideline is published, preserving the funding direction for all three technologies.

April 2013