2025 CPT code 33271
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System - Cardiovascular System Surgery Feed
Insertion of subcutaneous implantable defibrillator electrode.
Modifiers may be applicable to 33271 in certain circumstances, such as if the procedure is significantly more complex than usual (modifier 22).
Medical necessity for 33271 is determined by the patient's underlying cardiac condition and the clinical need for a defibrillator. This typically includes documented life-threatening arrhythmias or a high risk of sudden cardiac death.
The physician is responsible for the preoperative evaluation, surgical placement of the S-ICD electrode, intraoperative testing, and postoperative care.
In simple words: The doctor places a special wire called an electrode under the skin on your chest. This wire is part of a defibrillator, a device that helps control irregular heartbeats. This type of defibrillator is placed entirely under the skin, so no wires go directly into the heart.
This code describes the surgical placement of a subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD) electrode.The S-ICD system is used to treat life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Unlike transvenous ICDs, the S-ICD electrode is placed under the skin, avoiding the need for placement of leads directly into the heart. The procedure involves making incisions to create a pocket for the pulse generator and tunneling the electrode lead from this pocket to a location along the left parasternal margin.
Example 1: A patient with a history of ventricular tachycardia and who is not a candidate for a transvenous ICD undergoes placement of an S-ICD electrode., A patient with recurrent syncope and a positive electrophysiology study indicating a risk for sudden cardiac death undergoes implantation of an S-ICD system, starting with the electrode placement., A patient with a previous transvenous ICD experiences complications such as lead infection or vein thrombosis and requires removal of the old system and placement of a new S-ICD system, including electrode insertion.
Documentation should include the medical necessity for the S-ICD, the operative report detailing the procedure including the location of incisions and electrode placement, intraoperative testing results, and any complications encountered.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Cardiac electrophysiology, cardiothoracic surgery
- Place of Service:Ambulatory Surgical Center, Hospital - Inpatient, Hospital - Outpatient