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2025 CPT code 33871

Transverse aortic arch graft, with cardiopulmonary bypass, profound hypothermia, total circulatory arrest, and isolated cerebral perfusion with reimplantation of arch vessel(s).

Follow CPT guidelines for reporting 33871 with other codes for concurrent procedures, such as ascending aortic graft replacement. Refer to NCCI edits for coding restrictions and modifier usage.

Modifiers may be applicable to indicate specific circumstances, such as increased procedural services (22), or distinct procedural services (59).

Medical necessity is established by documentation of a condition affecting the aortic arch, such as an aneurysm, dissection, or trauma, that requires surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications.

The surgeon performs the procedure, including initiating and managing cardiopulmonary bypass, inducing deep hypothermia, establishing isolated cerebral perfusion, resecting the damaged aorta, preparing and attaching the graft, reimplanting arch vessels, and closing the incision.

IMPORTANT Do not report 33871 for aortic hemiarch graft (use 33866 instead). Do not report 33871 in conjunction with 33866. For aortic hemiarch graft performed in conjunction with ascending aortic graft (33858, 33859, 33863, 33864), use 33866.If ascending aorta is also replaced, use 33858, 33859, 33863, or 33864 in addition to 33871.

In simple words: This procedure replaces a damaged section of the aorta, the main artery from the heart, with a synthetic tube. The body is cooled, and blood flow to the brain is maintained while the surgeon replaces the damaged section. The blood vessels branching off this section of the aorta are carefully reattached.

This code represents a complex cardiovascular surgical procedure involving the replacement of the transverse aortic arch with a graft.It includes cardiopulmonary bypass, profound hypothermia, total circulatory arrest, and isolated cerebral perfusion. The procedure also involves the reimplantation of arch vessels, either individually or as an island pedicle.

Example 1: A patient with an aneurysm in the aortic arch undergoes a transverse aortic arch graft replacement using 33871., A patient with aortic dissection requires replacement of the transverse aortic arch and ascending aorta, coded with 33871 and 33858., A patient has a damaged aortic arch due to trauma. The surgeon performs a transverse aortic arch graft using 33871 with individual reimplantation of arch vessels.

Operative report detailing the procedure, including the type of graft used, method of reimplanting arch vessels, use of cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia, and isolated cerebral perfusion. Preoperative imaging and diagnostic studies supporting the diagnosis and medical necessity. Postoperative notes documenting the patient's recovery.

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