The ACC, along with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Heart Failure Society of America and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery have submitted two comment letters (1, 2) in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) request for information for a National Coverage Determination (NCD) on ventricular assist devices (VADs) and artificial hearts.

Of note, the societies opposed the removal of the requirement for coverage with evidence removal for artificial hearts and related devices, and advocate that durable VADs should be covered for the treatment of patients with advanced stage heart failure without distinction between therapeutic goal.

"We appreciate that the requestor has proposed a solution that would eliminate the unnecessary distinction between bridge‐to‐transplant and destination therapy for coverage of durable VAD implantation by introducing the terminology of short and long term support. We believe that elimination of any terminology to characterize the intent of device implantation is in the best interest of the patient and consistent with the results of the MOMENTUM 3 clinical trial which demonstrates a strong therapeutic benefit of left ventricular assist devices regardless of device intent," they stated.

The societies also commented that that durable VADs should be covered for treatment of patients with advanced stage heart failure without distinction between therapeutic goal. ACC Advocacy staff anticipate a draft policy seeking official comments on the NCDs by early August, and will continue to monitor and provide updates.

Clinical Topics: Cardiac Surgery, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies, Cardiac Surgery and Heart Failure, Acute Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support

Keywords: ACC Advocacy, Heart-Assist Devices, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S., Heart, Artificial, Heart Failure

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