2025 CPT code 33883
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Cardiovascular System Surgery Feed
Placement of initial proximal extension prosthesis for endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta.
Modifiers may be applicable. Consult modifier guidelines for specific scenarios.
Medical necessity should be established through documentation demonstrating the presence of an aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, dissection, ulcer, intramural hematoma, or traumatic disruption in the descending thoracic aorta requiring the placement of a proximal extension endograft to ensure adequate repair and prevent complications.
The physician is responsible for prepping and anesthetizing the patient, performing arteriography for roadmapping, confirming proper component placement using imaging and contrast, preparing and loading the prosthesis, guiding it through the femoral artery to the aorta under fluoroscopy, deploying the component, and ensuring proper seating and leak prevention.They also close the access site after the procedure.
In simple words: The doctor places an extension to a stent-like graft inside the chest portion of your main artery (aorta) to reinforce a weak area. This procedure is done through a small incision, usually in the groin, and uses X-ray imaging to guide the placement of the graft extension.
This code describes the placement of the initial proximal extension prosthesis during endovascular repair of the descending thoracic aorta to address issues like aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, dissections, penetrating ulcers, intramural hematomas, or traumatic disruptions.It includes device introduction, manipulation, positioning, and deployment. This code is for the initial proximal extension; additional extensions would be reported separately.
Example 1: A patient with a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm extending proximally requires placement of a proximal extension endograft in addition to the main endograft during TEVAR., During a follow-up after TEVAR, a patient develops a new proximal leak, requiring placement of a proximal extension endograft., A patient with a traumatic aortic injury undergoes endovascular repair with a main endograft and a proximal extension to ensure complete coverage of the affected area.
Documentation should include operative report detailing the procedure, including the type and size of the prosthesis used, location of the repair, pre- and post-operative imaging studies, and any complications encountered. Medical necessity for the proximal extension should be clearly documented.
- Revenue Code: P1G - Major Procedure - Other
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Interventional Radiology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center