2025 CPT code 33875
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Surgery - Repair Procedures for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Cardiovascular System Feed
Placement of a graft in the descending thoracic aorta, with or without bypass.
Modifiers may apply based on circumstances such as multiple procedures (51), reduced services (52), or assistant surgeon (80). Consult the current CPT manual and NCCI edits for guidance.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of a symptomatic or enlarging descending thoracic aortic aneurysm posing a significant risk of rupture.Preoperative imaging, and documentation confirming the size and location of the aneurysm is crucial for supporting medical necessity.
The surgeon is responsible for all aspects of the procedure, including pre-operative planning, incision and access to the descending thoracic aorta, aneurysm excision, graft placement, reimplantation of branch vessels, and wound closure.Anesthesiologists manage anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass (if used).
- Cardiovascular System
- Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System > Repair Procedures for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
In simple words: The doctor replaces a damaged part of the main artery in the chest (the descending thoracic aorta) with a new section (a graft). This may involve using a heart-lung machine to temporarily take over the heart and lung functions.
This CPT code encompasses the surgical procedure involving the replacement of a section of the descending thoracic aorta with a graft.The procedure may be performed with or without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, depending on the complexity and extent of the aortic disease.The surgeon will access the aorta, typically via a left posterolateral thoracotomy, clamp off the affected area, excise the diseased section, and then suture the graft into place.Any branch vessels requiring reimplantation will be carefully reconnected to the new graft. The incision is then closed with sutures.The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the specifics of the approach will be documented appropriately.
Example 1: A 65-year-old male presents with a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm.The surgeon performs an open thoracotomy, excises the aneurysm, and replaces it with a Dacron graft. Cardiopulmonary bypass is utilized., A 72-year-old female with a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm undergoes a less invasive procedure. The surgeon uses a hybrid approach, utilizing endovascular techniques for part of the repair, then transitioning to an open surgical approach to complete the graft placement., A 58-year-old male with a complicated descending thoracic aortic aneurysm involving significant branch vessel involvement requires extensive surgical repair. The surgeon utilizes cardiopulmonary bypass and intricate microsurgical techniques for vessel reimplantation.
Preoperative imaging (CT scan or MRI), operative report detailing the type of incision, the extent of the aortic resection, the type of graft used, the handling of branch vessels, and the use of CPB.Postoperative imaging to confirm graft patency.Complete anesthesia records including the use of CPB, if applicable.
** Thoracic aortic aneurysm repair is a complex procedure and appropriate coding relies on comprehensive documentation.Consider any additional services rendered during the procedure (e.g., imaging guidance).
- Revenue Code: Information not provided.Revenue codes vary by payer and facility.
- RVU: Information not provided in the source. RVUs vary based on geographic location and other factors.
- Global Days: The provided text does not specify a global period.This will vary depending on payer and specific procedure.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Fee Schedule: Fee schedules vary by payer and geographic location and are not provided in this data.Refer to appropriate fee schedules for historical data.
- Specialties:Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center