Cardiovascular Systems
Cardiovascular Systems
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Cardiovascular Systems
2
Objectives
• Master anatomical concepts necessary to understand the
cardiovascular system
• Define key terms, and recognize common eponyms and acronyms
• Explain the most common pathologies that affect this system
• Understand cardiovascular procedures and surgeries, and where in
CPT® to locate the relevant codes
• Introduce ICD-9-CM and HCPCS Level II codes and coding guidelines
as they apply to this system
• Supply examples and review material to improve your application of the
above concepts
Cardiovascular Systems
3
Circulatory Systems
• Systemic Circulatory System
– Blood Vessels
• Arteries
• Veins
•
•
•
•
Pulmonary System
Coronary System
Portal System
Lymphatic System
Cardiovascular Systems
4
Cardiovascular Systems
5
Anatomy
• Arteries
– Carry oxygenated blood
– Take blood away from heart to the body
• Veins
– Carry deoxygenated blood
– Bring blood back to the heart from the capillary beds
• Capillaries
– Connect arteries and veins
Cardiovascular Systems
6
Anatomy
• Anatomy of blood vessels
– Arteries and veins have walls composed of three layers:
• Tunica intima – inner single layer of epithelial cells
• Tunica media – smooth muscle layer
• Tunica adventitia – white fibrous connective tissue
– Veins have less elastic and smooth muscle tissue and more
fibrous connective tissue
– Veins capable of distention to adapt to changes in blood
pressure and blood volume
Cardiovascular Systems
7
Anatomy
• Lymphatic System
– Lymph – fluid collected
– Lymph nodes – small collections of lymphatic tissue
through which lymph fluid is filtered
– Lymphocytes – cells of the immune system
• Right lymphatic duct drains into right subclavian vein
• Thoracic duct drains into left subclavian vein
– Both subclavian veins empty into the inferior vena cava
Cardiovascular Systems
8
Electrical Conduction in the Heart
– Conduction begins in sinoatrial (SA) node of right
atrium
• Nature’s pacemaker
• Firing causes contraction of muscle
– Moves to atrioventricular (AV) node
• Then to bundle of His along septum
– Right and left bundle branches go to each ventricle
• Then to Purkinje fibers along the surface of ventricles
Cardiovascular Systems
9
Circulatory Systems
• Pulmonary Circulation
– Pushes deoxygenated blood into the lungs
– Carbon dioxide removed and oxygen added
– Blood flows to the left atrium
• Systemic Circulation
– Blood flows from left atrium into the left ventricle
– Pumped to the body to deliver oxygen and remove carbon
dioxide
• Coronary Circulation
– Movement of blood through the tissue of the heart
Cardiovascular Systems
10
Circulations
• Portal System
– Directs blood from the intestines to the liver
– Liver processes the blood before the blood continues
on to the heart
Cardiovascular Systems
11
Circulatory Systems
• Coronary Circulation
– Right coronary artery (RC)
• Marginal branches
• Posterior interventricular branch (posterior descending)
– Left coronary artery
• Left circumflex artery (LC)
– Obtuse branches
• Left anterior descending artery (LD)
– Diagonal branches
Cardiovascular Systems
12
Great Vessels
• Great vessels
– Aorta
• Brachiocephalic trunk (innominate)
• Left common carotid
• Left subclavian artery
– Pulmonary trunk which bifurcates to right and left
pulmonary arteries
– Pulmonary veins (four)
– Superior vena cava
– Inferior vena cava
Cardiovascular Systems
13
Heart
• Four (4) Chambers
– Two atria
– Two ventricles
• Three (3) layers
– Endocardium
– Myocardium
– Epicardium
• Pericardial sac (double-walled membrane)
– Visceral pericardium
– Parietal pericardium
Cardiovascular Systems
14
Heart
• Pericardium
– Visceral layer adheres to the heart and the first few centimeters of
the outside of the great vessels
– Parietal layer – outer layer
• Pericardial fluid
– Located in space between the visceral pericardium and the
parietal layer
– 10 – 30 ml fluid to lubricate the heart’s surface
– Fluid can increase up to 300 ml without impeding the heart
Cardiovascular Systems
15
Heart
• Cardiac Tamponade
– Compression of the heart caused by build up of
pericardial fluid or blood
– Can lead to cardiac arrest
• Pericardiocentesis
– Procedure to drain fluid from pericardial sac
Cardiovascular Systems
16
Heart Valves
• Atrioventricular valves
– Tricuspid (3 leaflets) – right side of heart
– Bicuspid or Mitral (2 leaflets) – left side of heart
• Chordae tendineae (heart strings) attached to valve leaflets and the papillary
muscles of the ventricle
• Keep valves from everting and provide support during systole
• Semilunar valves
– Pulmonary (Pulmonic)
– Aortic
Cardiovascular Systems
17
ICD-9-CM Coding
•
•
•
•
•
Chapter 01:Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Chapter 02: Neoplasms
Chapter 07: Diseases of the Circulatory System
Chapter 14: Congenital Anomalies
Chapter 16:Signs, Symptoms, and Ill-Defined Conditions
Cardiovascular Systems
18
Diseases of the Circulatory System
• Acute rheumatic fever (390-392)
– Symptoms include fever, joint pain, lesions of the heart, blood
vessels and joint connective tissue, abdominal pain, skin changes,
and chorea
• Chronic rheumatic heart disease (393-398)
– Persistent inflammation of heart lining due to rheumatic heart
disease.
Cardiovascular Systems
19
Cardiac Cycle
Blood pressure
• Measurement of the pressure of blood exerted within the
blood vessels
- Sphygmomanometer
120/80 mm Hg
120 = Systole
80 = Diastole
Cardiovascular Systems
20
Cardiac Cycle
• Two Phases
– Systole
• Blood is ejected from the ventricles into the body’s
circulatory path (highest pressure against the walls of the
blood vessels)
– Diastole
• Ventricles relax and fill with blood from the atria (lowest
pressure against the walls of the blood vessels)
Cardiovascular Systems
21
ICD-9-CM: Hypertension
• Hypertensive Disease
–
–
–
–
401
402
403
404
Essential hypertension
Hypertensive heart disease
Hypertensive chronic kidney disease
Hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease
Guidelines I.C.7.a.1. through 11.
Hypertension Table in alphabetic index ICD-9-CM
Many guidelines found in the Tabular List for these categories
Cardiovascular Systems
22
ICD-9-CM: Ischemic Heart Disease
• 410 Acute myocardial infarction
– 5th digit
0 Episode of care unspecified
1 Initial episode of care
Regardless of the number of transfers during initial care
2 Subsequent episode of care (8 weeks or less)
STEMI (ST elevation)
NSTEMI (non-ST elevation)
Cardiovascular Systems
23
ICD-9-CM: Ischemic Heart Disease
• 411 Other acute and subacute forms of
ischemic heart
disease
• 412 Old myocardial infarction
• 413 Angina pectoris
• 414 Other forms of chronic ischemic heart disease
Use 414.01 CAD/arteriosclerosis when there is no history of
coronary artery bypass surgery.
Cardiovascular Systems
24
ICD-9-CM: Ischemic Heart Disease
• 414.8 Other specified forms of chronic ischemic
heart disease
– Chronic coronary insufficiency
– Ischemia, myocardial (chronic)
– Any condition classifiable to 410 specified as chronic,
or presenting with symptoms after 8 weeks from date
of infarction
Use 411.89 for acute coronary insufficiency
Cardiovascular Systems
25
ICD-9-CM: Ischemic Heart Disease
Example:
A cardiac catheterization is scheduled for a patient who had
an inferoposterior wall infarction 12 weeks ago. She is still
having chest pain, which radiates to the left arm related to
mild exertion.
Look in the Index to Diseases under Disease,
diseased/heart/ischemic 414.9. Check the Tabular List for 414.8.
Because the disease is specified, code 414.8 is correct, not 414.9.
Cardiovascular Systems
26
Occlusion of Arteries
• Occlusion of arteries
414.2x Chronic total occlusion of coronary artery, when coronary
artery is 100 percent occluded for several months.
440.4 Chronic total occlusion of artery of the extremities, when there
has been total artery occlusion of the arm or leg.
411.81 Acute coronary occlusion without myocardial infarction. Use
411.81 for occlusion caused by debris.
NOTE: 414.2x and 440.4 and can only be secondary codes
Cardiovascular Systems
27
ICD-9-CM: Aneurysm
• 414.1
–
–
–
–
Aneurysm and dissection of heart
414.10
414.11
414.12
414.19
Aneurysm of heart (wall)
Aneurysm of coronary vessels
Dissection of coronary artery
Other aneurysm of heart
Cardiovascular Systems
28
ICD-9-CM: Heart Disease
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
415 – 417 Diseases of pulmonary circulation
420 Acute pericarditis
421 Acute and subacute endocarditis
422 Acute myocarditis
423 Other diseases of pericardium
424 Other diseases of endocardium
425 Cardiomyopathy
426 Conduction disorders
427 Cardiac dysrhythmias
428 Heart Failure
429 Ill-defined descriptions and complications of heart disease
Cardiovascular Systems
29
Congestive Heart Failure
• Congestive heart failure
– Not an inherent component of systolic or diastolic
heart failure.
– When CHF is list with the above, assign two codes
• Systolic, diastolic, or combined systolic/diastolic heart
failure
• CHF, unspecified – 428.0
Cardiovascular Systems
30
ICD-9-CM: Congenital Anomalies
• 745 Bulbus cordis anomalies and anomalies of
cardiac septal closure
• 746 Other congenital anomalies of heart
• 747 Other congenital anomalies of circulatory
system
Cardiovascular Systems
31
Signs & Symptoms
• 785 Symptoms involving cardiovascular system
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
785.0 Tachycardia, unspecified
785.1 Palpitations
785.2 Undiagnosed cardiac murmurs
785.3
Other abnormal heart sounds
785.4
Gangrene
785.5X
Shock without mention of trauma
785.6
Enlargement of lymph nodes
785.9
Other symptoms involving cardiovascular system
• 786.5X Chest pain
– 786.50
Chest pain, unspecified
– 786.51 Precordial pain
– 786.59 Other
Cardiovascular Systems
32
Terms
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Apex—bottom point of the heart
Retrograde—against the current
Antegrade—with the current (blood flow)
Cardioversion—shock treatment to the heart
CPR—Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Tachycardia—rapid beating of the heart
Pacing—refers to electrical activity of the heart
Cardiovascular Systems
33
CPT Coding
•
•
•
Surgical Section - Cardiovascular System — 33010-37799
Heart and Pericardium – 33010-33999
Radiology Section
– Heart – 75557-75574
– Vascular Procedures – 75600-75989
– Diagnostic Ultrasound (various CPTs)
– Radiologic Guidance – 77001-77022
– Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic, Cardiovascular System – 78414-78499
Medicine Section
– Cardiovascular – 92920-93799
– Noninvasive Vascular Diagnostic Studies – 93880-93998
Cardiovascular Systems
34
Pericardium
• Pericardiocentesis (33010-33011)
– Diagnostic test
– Cardiac tamponade
– Radiological supervision and interpretation (76930)
• Pericardotomy for removal of clot/FB (33020)
– Add 32658 by thoracoscopy
• Pericardial window (33025)
– (For thoracoscopy [VATS] pericardial window, use
32659)
Cardiovascular Systems
35
Pacemakers/Defibrillators (33202- 33249)
• Pacemaker System
– Generator
– Electrodes (leads)
• Note
– Temporary or permanent?
– Single or dual chamber?
– What is being addressed – electrodes, pulse generator, or both?
–NOTE: Temporary pacemakers are noted as “separate procedures”
Cardiovascular Systems
36
Pacemaker or Pacing Cardioverter-Defibrillator
• Permanent Pacemaker system includes:
– a pulse generator (containing electronics and a battery),
and one or more electrodes (leads)
• Generator is placed in a subcutaneous pocket created either in
a subclavicular site, or underneath the abdominal muscles, just
below the rib cage
• Electrodes are inserted through a vein (transvenous), or they
may be placed on the surface of the heart (epicardial) by
thoracoscopy or thoracotomy.
Cardiovascular Systems
37
Pacemaker or Pacing Cardioverter-Defibrillator
• Guidelines
– Replacement of a pacemaker pulse generator:
• Single codes exist for removal and replacement of a single lead
system (33227), a dual lead system (33228) or multiple lead system
(33229)
– Replacement of a pacing cardioverter-defibrillator pulse
generator
• Single lead system (33262), dual lead system (33263) or multiple lead
system (33264)
Radiological supervision and interpretation related to pacemaker or cardioverterdefibrillator procedure is included in 33206-33249.
Cardiovascular Systems
38
Pacemaker or Pacing Cardioverter-Defibrillator
• Guidelines
– Insertion of new or replacement of permanent
pacemaker with transvenous electrodes(s) (3320633208)
– Insertion of pacing cardioverter-defibrillator pulse
generator with single, dual, or multiple leads (3324033231)
Cardiovascular Systems
39
Pacemaker or Pacing Cardioverter-Defibrillator
• Biventricular Pacing
– An additional electrode may be required for pacing of left ventricle.
The electrode is placed in the cardiac vein over the left ventricle.
33224
Insertion of pacing electrode, cardiac venous system, for left ventricular
pacing, with attachment to previously placed pacemaker or pacing cardioverterdefibrillator pulse generator (including revision of pocket, removal, insertion, and /or
replacement of existing generator)
33225 Insertion of pacing electrode, cardiac venous system, for left ventricular
pacing, at time of insertion of pacing cardioverter- defibrillator or pacemaker pulse
generator (eg, for upgrade to dual chamber system)
(When epicardial electrode placement is performed, report 33224 in conjunction with
33202, 33203)
Cardiovascular Systems
40
Pacemaker or Pacing Cardioverter-Defibrillator
Patient underwent removal of a complete dual pacemaker
system. A dual cardioverter-defibrillator system was placed
with two transvenous electrodes, along with a biventricular
electrode with use of fluoroscopy.
33249
33235-51
33225
33233-51
Insertion of pacing cardioverter-defibrillator
leads/generator
Removal dual lead system electrodes
Biventricular pacing electrode
Removal dual system pacemaker generator
Cardiovascular Systems
41
Electrophysiologic Operative Procedures
• Incision (33250-33261)
– Operative tissue ablation codes 33254-33256 are only to
be reported when there is no concurrently performed
procedure that requires median sternotomy or
cardiopulmonary bypass
– Use add-on codes 33257-33259 for operative tissue
ablation performed at the time of other cardiac
procedures.
• Endoscopy (33265 – 33266)
Cardiovascular Systems
42
Heart (Including Valves) and Great Vessels
• 33300-33335 – repair of cardiac wound and repair
of great vessels
• Great vessels:
–
–
–
–
–
Superior vena cava
Inferior vena cava
Pulmonary artery
Four pulmonary veins
Aorta
Cardiovascular Systems
43
Cardiac Valves (33361-33478)
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement
(TAVR)/Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
(33361-33369)
– Separate codes for transcatheter approaches
– Add-on codes for cardiopulmonary bypass
– Codes include angiography, radiologic supervision and interpretation used for
guidance, access, valvuloplasty, positioning, deploying valve, temporary pacing
(33210) and closure of arteriotomy
– These procedures require 2 surgeons – report modifier 62
– Diagnostic coronary angiograms and cardiac catheterization at the same time
may be reported separately if not intrinsic to TAVR/TAVI and guidelines are met.
(Use 0318T for transapical approach (eg, left thoracotomy)
Cardiovascular Systems
44
Cardiac Valve Procedures
•
•
•
•
Aortic Valve (33400-33417)
Mitral Valve (33420-33430)
Tricuspid Valve (33460-33468)
Pulmonary Valve (33470-33478)
Cardiovascular Systems
45
CABG
• Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
– Venous (33510-33516)
– Arterial-Venous (33517-33523)
– Arterial (33533-33536)
– Reoperation (+33530)
Cardiovascular Systems
46
CABG
• Coronary Artery Bypass using Venous Grafting only (3351033516)
– Used to report coronary artery bypass procedures using venous grafts
only
– Not used for combined arteriovenous grafts
– Procurement of the saphenous vein is included in the relative value units
for these codes and not separately reportable unless performed
endoscopically (+33508)
Report procurement of other veins separately
• Upper extremity vein (35500)
• Femoropopliteal vein (35572)
Cardiovascular Systems
47
CABG
Arterial Grafting for Coronary Artery Bypass (33533-33536)
• Arterial includes the use of the following arteries:
– The internal mammary artery
– The gastroepiploic artery
– The epigastric artery
– The radial artery and/or
– Arteries procured from other sites
Artery graft from upper extremity is reported separately (35600)
Cardiovascular Systems
48
CABG
Combined Arterial-Venous Grafting for Coronary Artery Bypass
(33517-33530) (33533-33536)
•
To report combined arterial-venous grafts, you must report two
codes;
–
–
The arterial-venous graft code (33517-33523)
The arterial graft code (33533-33536)
Add-on code 33572 Coronary endarterectomy, open
Cardiovascular Systems
49
CABG
Coronary artery bypass with left internal mammary artery to
the left anterior descending, and arterial graft from the left
radial artery to the first diagonal of the LAD. Saphenous vein
graft to the ramus intermedius. Harvesting of the saphenous
vein was endoscopic.
33534
33517
35600
33508
2 coronary arterial grafts
1 venous graft
Harvest of upper extremity artery
Harvest by endoscopy
Cardiovascular Systems
50
Cardiac Anomalies (33600-33853)
• Single Ventricle and Other Complex Cardiac Anomalies (3360033622)
• Septal Defect (33641-33697)
• Sinus of Valsalva (33702-33722)
• Venous Anomalies (33724-33732)
• Shunting Procedures (33735-33768)
• Transposition of the Great Vessels (33770-33783)
• Truncus Arteriosus (33786-33788)
• Aortic Anomalies (33800-33853)
Cardiovascular Systems
51
Heart/Lung Transplantation
• 33930-33945
• Distinct Components of Physician Work
– Cadaver donor cardiectomy with or without
pneumonectomy
– Backbench work
– Recipient heart with or without lung allotransplantation
Cardiovascular Systems
52
Cardiac Assist
•
Intra-aortic device (33967-33973)
– Insertion and removal codes
•
Ventricular assist device (33975-33983)
– Extracorporeal
– Intracorporeal
• Insertion
• removal
•
Percutaneous assist device (33990-33993)
– Insertion
• Arterial only
• Arterial and venous with transseptal puncture
– Removal
– Repositioning
Cardiovascular Systems
53
Aneurysms
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Abdominal Aorta
Axillary Artery
Basilar Artery
Brachial Artery
Carotid Artery
Celiac Artery
Femoral Artery
Hepatic Artery
Iliac Artery
Innominate Artery
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Intracranial Artery
Mesenteric Artery
Popliteal Artery
Radial Artery
Renal Artery
Splenic Artery
Subclavian Artery
Thoracoabdominal Aortal
Ulnar Artery
Vertebral Artery
Cardiovascular Systems
54
Aneurysms
Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
(34800-34834)
• Codes describe open femoral or iliac artery exposure, device
manipulation and deployment, and closure of the arteriostomy sites.
• Read guidelines for bundled and additional procedures
Endovascular Repair of Iliac Aneurysm (34900)
• Codes describe open femoral or iliac artery exposure, device
manipulation and deployment, and closure of the arteriostomy sites.
• Read guidelines for bundled and additional procedures
Cardiovascular Systems
55
Aneurysms
Direct Repair of Aneurysm or Excision (Partial or Total)
and Graft Insertion for Aneurysm, Pseudoaneurysm,
Ruptured Aneurysm, and Associated Occlusive Disease
(35001-35152)
• Separate codes for aneurysm repair and ruptured aneurysm
repair
Cardiovascular Systems
56
Thromboendarterectomy (35301-35390)
Removal of thrombus and inner lining of vessel
• Includes patch graft if performed
• Reported by site
– 35390, Reoperation, carotid, thromboendarterectomy,
more than 1 month after original operation.
• Use 35390 in conjunction with 35301
Cardiovascular Systems
57
Transluminal Angioplasty (35450-35476)
•
Open
–
–
–
–
•
Renal or other visceral artery
Aortic
Brachiocephalic trunk or branches, each vessel
Venous
Percutaneous
–
–
–
–
Renal or other visceral artery
Aortic
Brachiocephalic trunk or branches, each vessel
Venous
– Code also for catheter placement and radiologic S&I
Cardiovascular Systems
58
Transluminal Angioplasty (35450-35476)
• From a right femoral artery access the catheter was
advanced into the aorta. Transluminal aortic angioplasty was
performed.
36200
35472
75966-26
Placement of catheter into aorta
Angioplasty aorta
Radiological supervision and interpretation
Look in the CPT® index for Transluminal/Angioplasty/Arterial/Radiological
Supervision 75962-75968
Catheter placement and S&I will be covered later.
Cardiovascular Systems
59
Bypass Grafts
• Non-coronary vessels
– Vein (35500-35572)
– In-situ vein (35583-35587)
• Vein is left in native location
– Other than vein (35600-35671)
– Composite Grafts (35681-35683)
• Code by type/location
Cardiovascular Systems
60
Vascular Injection Procedures
Endovascular Revascularization
• Vascular Injection Procedures and Endovascular
Revascularization will be discussed in the
Interventional Cardiology/Radiology Section (IVR)
Cardiovascular Systems
61
Central Venous Access (36555-36598)
•
•
Placed for frequent access to bloodstream
Tip of catheter must terminate in the:
–
–
–
–
–
•
Code by
–
–
–
–
•
Subclavian vein
Brachiocephalic vein
Iliac vein
Inferior or superior vena cava
Right atrium
Procedure (insertion, repair, replacement, removal, etc.)
Tunneled or not
With pump or port
Patient age
See CVAP Table in CPT®
Cardiovascular Systems
62
CPT®
•
Hemodialysis (36800-36870)
– See 36147 for diagnostic studies of AV shunts for dialysis
•
Portal Decompression (37140-37183)
– Treat hypertension/occlusion of portal vein
– TIPS (37182, 37183) diverts blood from the portal vein to the hepatic vein
– TIPS = transvenous intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(s)
•
Transcatheter Procedures
– Removal of clot (thrombectomy)
• Arterial Thrombectomy (37184-37186)
• Venous Thrombectomy (37187-37188)
• Other Procedures (37191-37216)
– Foreign body retrieval, placement vena cava filter, transcatheter embolization, stent
placement, etc.
Cardiovascular Systems
63
Interventional Procedures
• Interventional Cardiology/Radiology
– Branch of medicine
– Minimally invasive techniques using imaging guidance to diagnose
and treat diseases
– Catheter is threaded into vessels to perform procedure(s)
– Multiple codes may be used from different sections of CPT® (eg,
Surgery, Radiology, and Medicine)
Cardiovascular Systems
64
Vascular Injection Procedures (36000-36680)
• Vascular Injections include the following:
–
–
–
–
–
Local anesthesia
Introduction of the needle or intracatheter
Injection of contrast material
All pre- and post-injection patient care
Closure of vascular access
Cardiovascular Systems
65
Vascular Injection Procedures
• Intravenous
– Nonselective – venography, superior or inferior vena cava
– Selective
• First order
• Second order
• Intra-Arterial - Intra-Aortic Procedures
– Nonselective
– Selective
Cardiovascular Systems
66
Vascular Injection Procedures
Five Vascular Families:
• Systemic Arterial
• Systemic Venous
• Pulmonary
• Portal
• Lymphatic
Cardiovascular Systems
67
Vascular Injection Procedures
• Non-Selective catheterization
– Catheter is placed directly into an arterial or venous
vessel and not moved or manipulated further (36100,
36120, 36140)
– Or the catheter is moved only into the aorta from any
approach (36160, 36200)
– Introduction of needle/catheter arteriovenous shunt
created for dialysis (36147)
– Introduction of needle or intracatheter, aortic, translumber
(36160)
Cardiovascular Systems
68
Vascular Injection Procedures
• Selective Catheterization
– Catheter is moved, manipulated or guided into a part of the
arterial/venous system other than the aorta or the vessel
punctured.
– The exact code used depends on how many branches the
catheter must be guided through before it reaches the ultimate
injection site.
See CPT® Appendix L Vascular Families for first, second, third order, and
beyond third order branches based on a starting point in the aorta.
Cardiovascular Systems
69
Selective Catheterization
Vascular Families
•
•
•
Primary (first turn off the main highway [aorta])
– First-order vessels (eg, innominate/brachiocephalic artery, left common
carotid, left subclavian)
Secondary (second turn off the main highway [aorta])
– Second-order vessels, (eg, right common carotid artery, left external
carotid, left vertebral [aorta])
Tertiary (third turn off the main highway [aorta])
– Third-order vessels, (eg, right external carotid artery, right vertebral)
Cardiovascular Systems
70
Cardiovascular Systems
71
Selective Catheterization
Vascular Access Rules
•
•
•
From a single access catheter puncture site, selective catheterization takes precedence in
coding over the nonselective catheterization. Only report highest order of one family. If other 2nd
or 3rd levels catheterized in same family, use add-on code
Code for each vascular family accessed
Code for each vascular access
– Above diaphragm (36215-36218)
•
Additional second and/or third order use add-on code 36218
– Below diaphragm (36245-36248)
•
•
Additional second and/or third order use add-on code 36248
Pulmonary angiography involves the right and left pulmonary arteries representing two vascular
families
Cardiovascular Systems
72
Selective Catheterization Part 1 (Surgical)
• From a right femoral access, code the selective catheterization of
the common hepatic artery. Check Appendix L for the vascular
family order starting from the aorta. 36246
• From a right femoral access, code selective catheterization of the
left brachial, and the left internal thoracic arteries. Check
Appendix L with the starting point of the aorta. Modifier 59
indicates separate vascular family. 36216, 36216-59
• From a right femoral access, code the selective catheterization of
the right internal thoracic, and the right ulnar artery. 36217,
36218
Cardiovascular Systems
73
Selective Catheterization
Part 2 – Vascular Procedures Radiology
•
Vascular Procedures Radiology (75600-75989)
– Use when physician provides both surgical and radiology portion of an
interventional service
– Modifier 26 Professional component may be required
– Use modifier 26 when services performed in a facility/hospital setting or when
equipment not owned by provider
•
Radiology Guidelines
– Do not use diagnostic angiography radiologic supervision and interpretation
(S&I) with interventional procedures for:
•
•
•
•
Roadmapping (taking a look)
Vessel measurement
Post-angioplasty/stent angiography follow-up
Intervention procedures which include S&I
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Selective Catheterization
Part 2 – Vascular Procedures Radiology
• Report diagnostic interventional procedures when:
– Performed at separate setting
– No prior angiography study is available
– Prior study is available, but patient’s condition has
changed
– There is inadequate visualization of anatomy and/or
pathology
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Selective Catheterization
Part 1 (Surgical) & Part 2 (Radiological)
Part 1 (surgical)
From a right femoral access a catheter was placed in the aorta (nonselective 36200) and
aortography is performed. Next the catheter is manipulated into the celiac artery and
angiography is performed. Check Appendix L. This is first order (36245). Code 36200 is
dropped, because you only code to the highest level of catheter placement.
36245
Selective catheter placement, arterial system; each first order abdominal, pelvic, or
lower extremity artery branch, within a vascular family
Part 2 (Radiology)
The celiac artery is a visceral artery. Look in the CPT index for Angiogram/Abdominal and you will
see a range of codes.
75726
Angiography, visceral, selective or supraselective (with or without flush aortogram),
radiological supervision and interpretation
Modifier 26 is required for the professional service. The aortography is bundled.
36245, 75726-26
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Selective Catheterization
Part 1 (Surgical) & Part 2 (Radiological)
Take the previous example of the diagnostic angiography of the celiac artery. During the
study a stenosis of 85% is found and the decision is made to insert a stent.
Look in the CPT® index for Stent/Placement/Transcatheter/Intravascular 37205-37208,
37215-37216.
37205
Transcatheter placement of an intravascular stent(s) (except coronary, carotid,
vertebral, iliac, and lower extremity arteries), percutaneous; initial vessel
(For radiological supervision and interpretation, use 75960)
Part 1 (surgical) 37205
Part 2 (radiological) 75960-26
37205, 36245, 75960-26, 75726-26-59.
Modifier 59 indicates that the diagnostic study is completely separate from the stent
placement.
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Diagnostic Studies of Cervicocerebral Arteries (3622136228)
• Diagnostic studies of the cervicocerebral arteries
include:
– Nonselective and selective arterial catheterization
– Diagnostic imaging of the aortic arch, carotid, and
vertebral arteries
– Contrast injection
– Fluoroscopy
– Radiological interpretation and supervision
– Closure of arteriotomy by pressure or closure device
– Interventional procedures during the same session are
coded separately
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Diagnostic Studies of Cervicocerebral Arteries (3622136228)
+36227 Selective catheter placement, external carotid artery, unilateral, with
angiography of the ipsilateral external carotid circulation and all associated
radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for
primary procedure)
(Use 36227 in conjunction with 36222, 36223, or 36224)
+36228 Selective catheter placement, each intracranial branch of the internal carotid
or vertebral arteries, unilateral, with angiography of the selected vessel circulation
and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation (eg, middle cerebral
artery, posterior inferior cerebellar artery) (List separately in addition to code for
primary procedure)
(Use 36228 in conjunction with 36224 or 36226)
(Do not report 36228 more than twice per side)
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Diagnostic Studies of Cervicocerebral Arteries (3622136228)
•
Do not report 75774 as part of diagnostic angiography of
the extracranial and intracranial cervicocerebral vessels.
• Report 76376 or 76377 for 3D rendering when performed in
conjunction with 36221-36228.
• Report 76937 for ultrasound guidance for vascular access
when performed in conjunction with 36221-36228.
NOTE: Any time a code descriptor includes “radiological
supervision and interpretation” you know that the code has a
professional and a technical component. For the physician
services report the code with modifier 26 to denote the
professional service.
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Endovascular Revascularization (3722037235)
• Treat occlusive disease in lower extremities
• Three territories
– Illiac
– Femoral/Popliteal
– Tibial/Peroneal
• Codes arranged in a hierarchy for each territory
–
–
–
–
Stent placement with atherectomy (highest)
Atherectomy
Stent placement
Angioplasty (lowest)
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Bundled to Endovascular Revascularization (37220-37235)
–
–
–
–
–
Conscious sedation
Vascular access
Catheter placement
Traversing the lesion
Imaging related to the intervention (previously billed as
the supervision and interpretation code for the specific
intervention)
– Use of an embolic protection device (EPD)
– Imaging for closure device placement
– Closure of the access site
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Endovascular Revascularization (37220-37235)
• Iliac vascular territory codes do not include atherectomy
– Use Category III codes 0234T-0238T for atherectomy in the suprainguinal vessels (iliacs, visceral, aorta, renal, brachiocephalic)
– Codes include radiological supervision and interpretation
– Codes do not include:
•
•
•
•
•
Selective catheterization of vessel
Traversing lesion
Embolic protection, if used
Other intervention used to treat the same or other vessels
Closure of arteriotomy by any method
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Endovascular Revascularization (37220-37235)
From a left femoral access, a stent was placed and atherectomy was
performed in the right common iliac.
0238T
Transluminal peripheral atherectomy, open or
percutaneous, including S&I; iliac artery, each vessel
37221
Revascularization, endovascular, open or
percutaneous, iliac artery, unilateral, initial vessel, with
transluminal stent
placement(s)
36245-59
First order catheterization of right common iliac
Modifier 59 indicates 36245 is separate from 37221, because selective catheterization is
included in 37221; however, it is not included with the atherectomy.
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Endovascular Revascularization (37220-37235)
From a right femoral artery access, report stent placement in
left superficial femoral artery, and angioplasty of the left
popliteal artery.
37226
Revascularization, endovascular, open or
percutaneous, femoral, popliteal, unilateral; with
transluminal stent placement(s), includes
angioplasty
within the same vessel, when performed.
The entire femoral/popliteal territory is considered a single vessel for
revascularization procedures.
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Endovascular Revascularization (37220-37235)
From a right femoral artery access, report the
stenting of the right peroneal trunk, and angioplasty
of the dorsalis pedis artery and posterior tibial artery.
37230
Revascularization, endovascular , open or
percutaneous, tibial, peroneal artery,
unilateral, initial
vessel; with transluminal stent
placement(s)
37232 x2 each additional vessel; with transluminal
angioplasty
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Endovascular Revascularization (37220-37235)
• Guidelines for treatment of one extremity
– Report initial vessel intervention at the highest level of intervention
• Hierarchy from highest to lowest: stent placement with atherectomy, stent placement,
atherectomy, angioplasty
– Report initial vessel intervention for each intervention performed within a different
territory
– Intervention of additional vessels within a territory are reported with add-on codes
– Bridging lesions are considered a single-vessel intervention, even if the bridging
lesion extends from one territory into another.
– Diagnostic imaging is separately billable.
– Other interventions such as IVUS, thrombolysis, thrombectomy, and embolization
are separately billable.
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•
Medicine Section Cardiovascular (9292093799)
Therapeutic services and procedures
– Other Therapeutic Services and Procedures
– Coronary Therapeutic Services and Procedures
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cardiography
Cardiovascular monitoring services
Implantable wearable cardiac device evaluations
Echocardiography
Cardiac Catheterizations
Intracardiac Electrophysiological Procedures/Studies
Peripheral Arterial Disease Rehabilitation
Noninvasive physiologic studies and procedures
Other procedures
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Other Therapeutic Services and Procedures
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
– Includes defibrillation
– Includes treatment to the pulmonary system
– Not considered a component of critical care services
• Cardioversion
– Electrical shock delivered to the heart to convert an
abnormal heart rhythm back to a normal rhythm
(elective)
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Cardiovascular Therapeutic Services and
Procedures (92920-92979)
• Thrombolysis—Dissolving of a blockage by a thrombus (clot)
in a vessel
• Coronary stent—wire metal mesh tube placed inside an
artery to hold the vessel open
• Angioplasty—dilate and open a blocked artery
• Atherectomy—procedure to remove plaque from arteries
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Cardiovascular Therapeutic Services and
Procedures (92920-92979)
•
Coronary artery therapeutic procedure guidelines:
– Three coronary arteries are recognized and ramus intermedius arteries
•
•
•
Right coronary (RC)
Left anterior descending (LD)
Left circumflex (LC)
– Only one procedure reported per coronary vessel
•
•
•
Access through a coronary bypass graft is reported separately
Each bypass graft represents a coronary vessel
Each sequential bypass graft with more than one distal anastomosis represents only on graft
– Up to 2 coronary artery branches of LD (diagonals), LC (marginals), and RC (posterior
descending, posterolaterals) are recognized
•
Report with add-on codes
– Hierarchy from highest to lowest value for percutaneous interventions:
•
•
•
Atherectomy
Stent placement
Angioplasty
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Coronary Therapeutic Services and Procedures
(92920-92979)
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) include:
–
–
–
–
–
Accessing, selective catheterization of vessel
Traversing lesion
Radiologic supervision and interpretation related to intervention(s)
Closure of arteriotomy
Imaging to document completion
Do not report diagnostic cardiac catheterization codes (93454-93461) and
injection procedures (93563-93564) with 92920-92944) unless
diagnostic cardiac catheterization is required prior to the intervention
service. See guidelines in CPT®.
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Coronary Therapeutic Services and Procedures
(92920-92979)
If a single lesion extends from one major coronary artery to
another target vessel, but can be revascularized with a single
intervention bridging the two vessels, report a single code.
Example:
Left main coronary lesion extends into the proximal left
circumflex and a single stent is placed across the entire
lesion
92928-LC
single
Percutaneous transcatheter placement of intracoronary
stent(s), with coronary angioplasty when performed;
major coronary artery or branch
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Coronary Therapeutic Services and Procedures
(92920-92979)
When a bifurcation is treated, PCI is reported for both
vessels treated.
Example:
A bifurcation lesion involving the left anterior descending
artery and the first diagonal artery is treated by stenting
both vessels.
92928-LD, 92929-LD
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Coronary Therapeutic Services and Procedures
(92920-92979)
Example:
Angioplasty in the right coronary and stent placement in
the left circumflex, with atherectomy in the left
anterior descending coronary artery. Intravascular
ultrasound (IVUS) was used in each vessel.
92924-LD, 92928-LC, 92920-RC, 92978, 92979, 9297959
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Monitoring Heart Activity
• Cardiography (93000 – 93042)
– Codes for professional component, technical component, and
global
• Implantable and Wearable Cardiac Device Evaluations
(93279-93299)
– For the 90-day period, do not report for less than 30 days
– For the 30-day period, do not report less than 10 days
• Cardiac Stress Tests
– Activity or pharmaceutical
– Codes for global, technical, and professional components.
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Echocardiography (93303-93352)
• Diagnostic ultrasound of the heart
• M-mode recording – used to measure chamber dimensions
and to establish the timing of events
• Doppler echocardiography – records the direction and
velocity of blood flow
• Color-flow mapping – allows images of the blood to be
displayed
– Transthoracic (TTE) or esophageal (TEE)
– Note congenital echo
– Complete or limited study
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Cardiac Catheterizations (93451-93581)
• Most common access point – femoral artery
• Right or left heart catheterization?
• Catheter insertion, injection(s), and imaging are combined
in one code
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Cardiac Catheterizations (93451-93581)
Cardiac Catheterization
• There are two code families for cardiac
catheterization:
– Congenital heart disease
– All other conditions
Anomalous coronary arteries, patent foramen ovale, mitral valve
prolapse, and bicuspid aortic valve are to be reported with 9345193464, 93566-93568.
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Cardiac Catheterizations (93451-93581)
•
•
•
•
•
•
For cardiac catheterization for congenital anomalies, see 93530-93533. When
contrast injection(s) are performed in conjunction with cardiac catheterization for
congenital anomalies, see 93563-93568.
Cardiac catheterization (93451-93461) includes all roadmapping angiography in
order to place the catheters, including any injections and imaging supervision,
interpretation, and report. It does not include contrast injection(s) and imaging
supervision, interpretation and report for imaging that is separately identified by
specific procedure code(s).
For aortography, use 93567.
For pulmonary angiography, use 93568.
Cardiac catheterization procedures have a technical and professional component
Add-on codes for injection procedures are professional services; therefore, no
modifier
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Cardiac Catheterizations (93451-93581)
From a right femoral access, right and left cardiac
catheterization was performed, with coronary
angiography, and angiography of bypassed vessels,
with right and left ventriculography. Injection procedure
was performed to view the aortic cuff for possible
aneurysm. Report the physician service.
93461-26, 93566, 93567
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Cardiac Anomalies
• Septal Defect – hole in the septum (or wall) of the
heart separating the atria and ventricles
• Repair of Septal Defect
– 93580-93581
– Transcatheter Closure
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Intracardiac Electrophysiological
Procedures/Studies
• 93600-93662
• Percutaneous
• Indications - Cardiac arrhythmias causing:
• Palpitations—irregular heart beats
• Syncope—loss of consciousness
• Cardiac arrest
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Intracardiac Electrophysiological
Procedures/Studies
• There are codes for:
–
–
–
–
Diagnostic electrophysiologic studies
Mapping
Ablation
Diagnostic electrophysiologic studies with ablation
during the same session
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Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
• Rehabilitation is reported per session
• Narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the legs
• Symptoms:
– Cramping
– Aching
– Numbness
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Noninvasive Vascular Diagnostic Studies
(93880-93990)
•
•
•
•
•
Cerebrovascular Arterial Studies
Extremity Arterial Studies (Including Digits)
Extremity Venous Studies (Including Digits)
Visceral and Penile Vascular Studies
Extremity Arterial-Venous Studies
Most of the studies in this section are considered bilateral. If a
unilateral study is performed, use modifier -52. 93924 describes a
complete bilateral study of lower extremity arteries
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Modifiers
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
26 – Professional Component
TC – Technical Component
LC – Left Circumflex Coronary Artery
LD – Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery
RC –Right Coronary Artery
80 – Assistant Surgeon
51 – Multiple Procedures
52 – Reduced Services
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The End
Cardiovascular Systems