2025 CPT code 33300
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Cardiac Wound Repair Cardiovascular System Feed
Repair of cardiac wound without cardiopulmonary bypass.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure. Consult the CPT manual for applicable modifiers and their appropriate use.
The medical necessity for this procedure is established by the presence of a cardiac wound requiring surgical repair. The documentation must support the diagnosis of cardiac injury and the need for surgical intervention.
The surgeon is responsible for all aspects of the procedure, from pre-operative assessment and planning to the post-operative care. This includes preparing the patient, performing the thoracotomy or sternotomy, gaining access to the pericardium, achieving hemostasis, repairing the cardiac wound, closing the incision, and managing post-operative drainage.
In simple words: The doctor repairs a cut or tear in the heart without using a heart-lung machine. They open the chest, stop the bleeding, and stitch up the heart.
This procedure involves the surgical repair of a wound to the heart without the use of a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machine.The surgeon accesses the heart via thoracotomy or sternotomy, uses a rib spreader for access to the pericardium, and may create a pericardial window if necessary.Clotted blood and fluid are removed, and hemostasis is achieved using techniques such as digital pressure, clamps, or catheters.The wound is then repaired using sutures, potentially with the addition of a small pad or synthetic graft for reinforcement.The incision is closed, and chest tubes or drainage tubes may be placed.
Example 1: A patient presents to the emergency department following a stabbing incident with a penetrating wound to the chest.Upon examination, a cardiac injury is suspected.The patient undergoes an emergent thoracotomy, and the surgeon repairs the wound without the need for CPB. Code 33300 is used., During a cardiac surgery for another condition, an unexpected injury to the heart occurs. The surgeon is able to control the bleeding and repair the wound without resorting to CPB. Code 33300 is used., A patient undergoes a minimally invasive cardiac procedure where a small tear in the heart is found and repaired without the need for CPB. Code 33300 is appropriately assigned.
Detailed operative notes describing the approach (thoracotomy or sternotomy), the location and nature of the cardiac wound, the techniques used to achieve hemostasis, the method of wound repair, and the placement of any drainage tubes. Pre-operative and post-operative assessment documentation is also required.
** The choice between 33300 and 33305 depends entirely on whether or not cardiopulmonary bypass is utilized.Thorough documentation is critical for accurate coding and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P2F (MAJOR PROCEDURE, CARDIOVASCULAR - OTHER)
- RVU: Information not available in provided sources. Consult the iFrameAI product for accurate RVU data.
- Global Days: Information not available in provided sources. Consult the iFrameAI product for accurate global days information.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A Technical Component (TC) modifier is not applicable to this code because it is a complete procedure.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in provided sources. Consult the iFrameAI product for accurate historical fee schedule data.
- Specialties:Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center, Emergency Room - Hospital