2025 CPT code 33019
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System Surgery Feed
Percutaneous pericardial drainage with insertion of indwelling catheter, including CT guidance, for patients 6 years and older without congenital cardiac anomaly.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure. Consult current CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of symptomatic pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade that requires drainage for hemodynamic stabilization or symptomatic relief.Documentation should clearly support the need for the procedure.
The physician is responsible for patient assessment, selecting the appropriate insertion site, performing the procedure using aseptic technique and appropriate imaging guidance, managing any complications, and providing post-procedure care and instructions.
In simple words: The doctor drains fluid from around the heart using a needle and tube inserted through the skin. A small tube is left in place for ongoing drainage. This is done using CT scan guidance. This code is for people 6 years old or older who don't have a heart problem since birth.
This CPT code encompasses percutaneous pericardial drainage with the insertion of an indwelling catheter.Computed tomography (CT) guidance is inherently included. The procedure is performed on patients aged 6 years and older who do not have a congenital cardiac anomaly.The catheter is left in place post-procedure for continued drainage. This code should not be used if the catheter is removed at the end of the procedure. For patients younger than 6 years or those with congenital cardiac anomalies, use CPT code 33018.Do not report this code with codes 75989, 76942, 77002, 77012, or 77021.
Example 1: A 70-year-old male presents with acute pericarditis and significant pericardial effusion causing hemodynamic compromise.The physician performs a percutaneous pericardial drainage with insertion of an indwelling catheter under CT guidance to relieve the cardiac tamponade., A 45-year-old female with a history of recurrent pericardial effusions undergoes percutaneous pericardial drainage with catheter insertion for palliative management. CT guidance is used to optimize catheter placement., A 25-year-old male with post-surgical pericarditis and significant fluid build up is referred for percutaneous pericardial drainage with catheter insertion and CT guidance. The physician confirms successful drainage and leaves the catheter in for continued monitoring and drainage.
Complete patient history and physical examination, including vital signs, symptoms of pericardial effusion/tamponade.Imaging studies demonstrating pericardial effusion.Operative report detailing the procedure, including site of insertion, amount of fluid drained, catheter type and placement, and any complications.Postoperative course notes documenting patient recovery and any complications.
** The use of fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance is not separately reported with this code as CT guidance is inherent.Appropriate pre-operative and post-operative care should be documented.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: No information available in provided text. Consult current CPT guidelines for guidance.
- Specialties:Cardiology, Cardiovascular Surgery, Thoracic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center