2025 CPT code 33516
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Cardiovascular System Feed
Coronary artery bypass, vein only; 6 or more coronary venous grafts.
Modifiers may be applicable (e.g., 22 for increased procedural services, 80 for assistant surgeon). Refer to current modifier guidelines.
Medical necessity must be established through documentation of severe coronary artery disease, failed medical management, or other qualifying conditions.
The surgeon is responsible for all aspects of the surgery, including harvesting vein grafts, performing the bypass procedure, and managing post-operative care.
In simple words: This procedure improves blood flow to the heart when arteries are blocked. The surgeon uses six or more veins from another part of your body, usually your leg, to create new pathways for blood to reach the heart muscle, bypassing the blockages.This requires a heart-lung machine.
This code describes a procedure where six or more vein grafts are used to bypass blocked coronary arteries.The surgeon harvests veins, typically from the leg, and connects them to the aorta and the coronary arteries beyond the blockages, restoring blood flow to the heart muscle. This procedure is performed with cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machine).
Example 1: A patient with multi-vessel coronary artery disease and angina is treated with 6 venous grafts to restore blood flow., A patient with 7 blocked coronary arteries undergoes bypass surgery using only saphenous vein grafts., A patient with prior CABG requires additional bypass grafting and receives 6 venous grafts during the current procedure.
Documentation should include the number and location of grafts, the vessels used for grafting, operative details, and any complications.
- Global Days : Global days included (refer to the National Physician Fee Schedule).
- Modifier TC rule: Does not apply.
- Specialties:Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital