2025 CPT code 33406
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Cardiovascular System Procedures Surgery Feed
Open surgical replacement of the aortic valve using an allograft with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Modifiers such as 51 (multiple procedures), 58 (staged procedure), and 62 (two surgeons) may be applicable.Appropriate modifier usage requires careful review of the procedure and documentation.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of severe aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, or other conditions causing significant hemodynamic compromise.The use of an allograft is determined by the patient's age, overall health, and risk factors.
Cardiothoracic surgeon performs the procedure, including sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass management, aortic valve replacement with an allograft, and closure. Anesthesiologist provides anesthesia and monitoring. Post-operative care is managed by the cardiothoracic surgeon and the cardiology team.
In simple words: The surgeon replaces a damaged heart valve with a healthy valve from a deceased donor.A heart-lung machine keeps the blood flowing while the surgeon works. The procedure involves opening the chest and replacing the old valve.
This CPT code, 33406, reports the open surgical replacement of a diseased or defective aortic valve with an allograft (a tissue valve from a human donor). The procedure involves cardiopulmonary bypass, allowing the surgeon to operate on a still heart.The surgeon makes a sternotomy (incision through the sternum), opens the pericardium (sac surrounding the heart), and accesses the aorta to remove the diseased valve. The allograft valve is then implanted, the aorta is closed, and the patient is taken off cardiopulmonary bypass. Post-operative echocardiography is typically performed to confirm the new valve's function.
Example 1: A 60-year-old patient with severe aortic stenosis undergoes an open heart surgery to replace the diseased aortic valve with a donor allograft valve. Cardiopulmonary bypass is used. The patient has no contraindications to the use of allograft., A 75-year-old patient with a history of endocarditis and a severely infected aortic valve requires urgent surgical valve replacement. The infected valve is replaced with an allograft. Cardiopulmonary bypass is used., A 20-year-old patient with bicuspid aortic valve disease requires aortic valve replacement. Due to the young age of the patient, a homograft aortic valve is selected for replacement. Cardiopulmonary bypass is used.
Operative report detailing the approach (median sternotomy), use of cardiopulmonary bypass, details of valve replacement (type of allograft used), and closure. Preoperative assessment including echocardiogram, coronary angiography (if performed), and other relevant tests. Post-operative echocardiogram to assess valve function.
** This code is specific to the use of an allograft valve.Selection of this code depends on the type of valve used.Always refer to the most current CPT manual and coding guidelines for accurate reporting.
- Revenue Code: P2F (MAJOR PROCEDURE, CARDIOVASCULAR - OTHER)
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable for this surgical code.
- Specialties:Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center