2025 CPT code 33764
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System Surgery Feed
Creation of a central shunt using a prosthetic graft to improve blood flow between major vessels.
Modifiers may be necessary depending on the complexity of the procedure and additional services performed, including those for increased procedural services (22), multiple procedures (51), or reduced services (52).
Medical necessity is established through pre-operative assessment demonstrating insufficient pulmonary blood flow or other hemodynamic compromise due to congenital heart defects. The procedure should improve oxygenation, reduce cyanosis, and improve overall cardiac function.
The surgeon is responsible for pre-operative assessment, surgical planning, performing the procedure, and post-operative care. Anesthesia and other support staff assist as needed.Collaboration with cardiologists and other specialists may be required for complex cases.
In simple words: This surgery creates a new passageway (a shunt) between major blood vessels in the heart using a synthetic tube (graft). This helps improve blood flow and oxygen levels in the body, especially for babies born with heart defects affecting blood flow to the lungs.
CPT code 33764, "Shunt; central, with prosthetic graft," describes the surgical creation of a shunt between major blood vessels using a synthetic graft. This procedure is typically performed to improve blood flow and oxygenation, particularly in cases of congenital heart defects where pulmonary blood flow is insufficient.The procedure involves creating openings in the target vessels, attaching the prosthetic graft to these openings, and ensuring secure placement for optimal blood flow.Additional steps may include ligation of other vessels as needed and meticulous hemostasis to prevent bleeding.The specific vessels involved and the exact surgical technique will vary depending on the patient's condition and anatomical considerations.
Example 1: A newborn with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect undergoes a central aorto-pulmonary shunt using a prosthetic graft to improve pulmonary blood flow and oxygenation., A child with Tetralogy of Fallot requires a central shunt to improve systemic blood flow before undergoing complete surgical repair., A patient with a congenital heart defect has a severely constricted pulmonary artery, requiring creation of a central shunt with a prosthetic graft to increase blood flow to the lungs. Post-operative monitoring may reveal the need for balloon angioplasty to maintain patency.
Detailed operative report including specific vessels involved, type of prosthetic graft, measurements, and intra-operative findings. Pre-operative imaging (echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization), post-operative imaging to assess graft patency, and complete patient history including co-morbidities.
** The choice of prosthetic graft material and the specific surgical technique may vary depending on the patient's individual circumstances.Careful documentation is crucial for appropriate coding and reimbursement.
- Revenue Code: P2F (MAJOR PROCEDURE, CARDIOVASCULAR - OTHER)
- RVU: Information not available in provided text.Consult current Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for RVU data and reimbursement rates.
- Global Days: Information not available in provided text. The global period will depend on payer specific guidelines and the complexity of the procedure.Consult payer guidelines for details.
- Payment Status: Active (Status subject to change based on payer policies and updates to the CPT code set)
- Modifier TC rule: The provided text does not mention the use of technical component (TC) modifiers for this procedure. The applicability of TC modifiers should be determined based on the payer-specific guidelines and the circumstances of the service.
- Fee Schedule: Information not available in provided text. Consult historical fee schedules for reimbursement details.
- Specialties:Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiology
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center