2025 CPT code 33211
Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System Feed
Insertion or replacement of temporary transvenous dual chamber pacing electrodes (separate procedure).
Modifiers may be applicable to 33211. Refer to current CPT guidelines for appropriate modifier usage.
Medical necessity for 33211 is established when temporary cardiac pacing is required to treat a life-threatening or symptomatic bradyarrhythmia, support cardiac function during surgery, or as a bridge to permanent pacemaker implantation.The documentation should clearly support the need for temporary pacing.
The physician prepares and anesthetizes the patient, makes an incision, and inserts electrode catheters through a vein. Using imaging guidance, the catheters are advanced to the appropriate heart chambers, and the leads are placed. The physician connects these leads to an external temporary generator.
In simple words: The doctor inserts or replaces temporary wires in the heart to help regulate the heartbeat. These wires go through a vein and are connected to a small device outside the body. This is a temporary solution and different from a permanent pacemaker.
This code describes the insertion or replacement of temporary transvenous dual chamber pacing electrodes. It involves inserting electrode catheters through a vein, guided by imaging, into the right atrium and right ventricle. The leads are then attached to an external temporary generator box. This procedure is distinct from permanent pacemaker implantation and is often used for temporary pacing needs.
Example 1: A patient experiencing a temporary heart block after a myocardial infarction requires temporary pacing until their heart rhythm stabilizes., A patient undergoing open-heart surgery needs temporary pacing support during and immediately after the procedure., A patient with bradycardia and syncope requires temporary pacing while awaiting implantation of a permanent pacemaker.
Documentation should include the reason for temporary pacing, insertion site, type of electrodes used, confirmation of lead placement in the right atrium and right ventricle, and connection to the external generator. Any complications encountered during the procedure should also be documented.
- Revenue Code: P2E
- Specialties:Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Electrophysiology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center