2025 CPT code 35371
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System Surgery Feed
Thromboendarterectomy, with or without patch graft, of the common femoral artery.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure.For instance, modifier 51 (multiple procedures) could be used if other procedures were performed during the same session.Modifiers 22 (increased procedural services), 52 (reduced services), 78 (unplanned return to operating room), and others might be needed depending on the specific clinical scenario.
Medical necessity for a thromboendarterectomy is established when a patient experiences symptoms attributable to significant arterial stenosis or occlusion in the common femoral artery, compromising blood flow and causing symptoms such as claudication, rest pain, or acute limb ischemia.Imaging studies confirm the diagnosis and severity of the arterial disease.
The vascular surgeon is responsible for the entire procedure, including pre-operative planning, surgical intervention (incision, artery access, thrombectomy, patch grafting if needed, hemostasis, and closure), and post-operative care instructions.
In simple words: The doctor removes blood clots and fatty buildup from a major artery in the leg (the common femoral artery).They might also use a patch to repair the artery after cleaning it out.
This CPT code 35371 represents a thromboendarterectomy, which involves the surgical removal of thrombus (blood clot) and atherosclerotic plaque from the common femoral artery.A patch graft may be used to repair the artery after the diseased tissue is removed. The procedure includes the surgical approach, removal of the affected arterial lining, and closure of the artery.If a vein graft is required, its harvesting is also included.
Example 1: A 70-year-old male presents with intermittent claudication (leg pain during exercise) due to significant atherosclerosis in his right common femoral artery.A thromboendarterectomy with patch angioplasty is performed to restore blood flow., A 65-year-old female experiences acute limb ischemia following a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).An emergent thromboendarterectomy of the left common femoral artery is necessary to restore perfusion to her lower extremity., A 55-year-old male undergoes a femoropopliteal bypass grafting. During the procedure, a significant thrombus is found in the common femoral artery necessitating a thromboendarterectomy before the bypass graft can be successfully completed.
* Pre-operative assessment including patient history, physical examination, and relevant imaging studies (e.g., angiography, ultrasound).* Intra-operative documentation detailing the surgical approach, extent of thrombus/plaque removal, use of a patch graft (if any), and hemostasis.* Post-operative assessment documenting the patient's recovery, complications (if any), and follow-up care.
** This procedure is often performed under general or regional anesthesia.Post-operative care may include pain management, anticoagulation therapy, and monitoring for complications such as bleeding, infection, or graft thrombosis.
- Revenue Code: P2F (Major Procedure, Cardiovascular - Other)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable for this code.
- Specialties:Vascular Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center