2025 CPT code 33980
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Surgery - Cardiovascular System Surgery Feed
Removal of an implantable, intracorporeal ventricular assist device from a single ventricle.
Modifiers may be necessary to indicate multiple procedures (51), reduced services (52), or distinct procedural services (59) depending on the clinical circumstances.
Removal of the VAD is medically necessary when the patient's cardiac function has improved sufficiently to no longer require mechanical circulatory support.The procedure aims to reduce the risks associated with long-term VAD use, improve quality of life, and potentially restore native heart function.
The cardiac surgeon is responsible for the entire procedure, including pre-operative assessment, surgical removal of the VAD, repair of the heart, and post-operative care.Anesthesiologist and perfusionist are also involved in the procedure.
In simple words: The doctor removes a previously implanted heart pump (ventricular assist device or VAD) from one side of the heart. This happens after the patient has recovered from the initial VAD placement. The chest is reopened, the pump is carefully taken out, and the area is repaired.
Removal of a previously implanted, intracorporeal ventricular assist device (VAD) from a single ventricle.The procedure involves reopening the chest incision (e.g., sternotomy), opening the VAD pocket, initiating cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), dissecting the heart, removing the inflow cannula and driveline, removing the ring attaching the inflow cannula to the ventricle, closing the ventricular hole (using sutures and a graft if necessary), dividing and closing the outflow graft near the aorta, stopping CPB, performing transesophageal echocardiography to assess ventricular function, conducting a bubble study to check for patent foramen ovale, performing thermodilution cardiac output measurement and comparing it to the VAD output, managing coagulopathy if present (potentially requiring chest packing), and finally closing the incision.
Example 1: A 65-year-old male patient with severe heart failure underwent placement of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) three months ago.Due to improved cardiac function and overall health, the patient is now a candidate for LVAD removal. The surgeon performs 33980., A 72-year-old female patient with biventricular failure received a biventricular assist device (BiVAD).After a period of stabilization, the right ventricular assist device is removed using 33980 while the left VAD remains in place. This would require additional codes to fully represent the case., A 58-year-old patient with end-stage heart failure required a percutaneous LVAD. After a period of support, the device needs to be removed.The surgeon would use the appropriate percutaneous removal code (33992 or 33997), not 33980.
Preoperative assessment including echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and patient history. Operative report detailing the surgical technique, including CPB use, device removal method, and tissue repair. Postoperative notes documenting the patient's condition and recovery.Hemodynamic data (cardiac output, blood pressure) before, during, and after the procedure.Images of the device before, during, and after removal. Pathology results, if applicable.
** This code is specifically for the removal of an intracorporeal VAD from a single ventricle.Different codes apply for percutaneous devices, transthoracic devices, or biventricular devices.Removal during a replacement procedure is not separately reported.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: A technical component modifier (TC) does not apply to this code.
- Specialties:Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center