What is NICE guidance?
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Some advice on using dual‑chamber pacemakers has been replaced by NICE technology appraisal guidance 324. |
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is part of the NHS. It produces guidance (recommendations) on the use of medicines, medical equipment, diagnostic tests and clinical and surgical procedures within the NHS in England and Wales.
To produce this guidance, NICE looks at how well the medicine, equipment or procedure works and also how well it works in relation to how much it costs. This process is called an appraisal. The appraisal process involves the manufacturer of the medicine or equipment for which guidance is being produced and the organisations that represent the healthcare professionals, patients and carers who will be affected by the guidance.
NICE was asked to look at the available evidence on the use of dual‑chamber pacemakers to treat people with bradycardia caused by sick sinus syndrome, atrioventricular block or both. NICE was asked to provide guidance that will help the NHS in England and Wales decide when dual‑chamber pacemakers should be used.