2025 CPT code 37252
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Surgery - Surgical Procedures on the Cardiovascular System Feed
Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; initial noncoronary vessel.
Modifiers may be applicable to the primary procedure, but generally not to add-on codes like 37252 directly. Refer to relevant guidelines for appropriate modifiers to use with the primary procedure code.
Medical necessity must be established for the primary procedure. IVUS should be documented as necessary for guiding the intervention or aiding in diagnosis.
The physician performs the procedure, including prepping and anesthetizing the patient, making the incision, inserting the catheter and guidewire, and interpreting the ultrasound images. They also manage bleeding and close the incision.
In simple words: The doctor uses a special catheter with a tiny ultrasound device to look inside your blood vessels. This helps them see any blockages or problems, especially during procedures like placing a stent. This code is for the first blood vessel examined, not counting the heart vessels.
This add-on procedure involves inserting a catheter with an ultrasound transducer into a non-coronary vessel. The transducer emits high-frequency sound waves, which create images of the vessel's interior. This is used during diagnostic or therapeutic interventions, such as stent placement. Radiological supervision and interpretation are included. This code is for the initial non-coronary vessel examined.
Example 1: A patient presents with leg pain and cramping, and angiography reveals a stenosis in the femoral artery. IVUS (37252) is used to assess the plaque and determine the best course of treatment, such as angioplasty or stenting., During an endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, IVUS is used to assess the vessel's diameter and ensure proper stent graft placement., A patient with renal artery stenosis undergoes angioplasty. IVUS is used to guide the procedure and confirm successful dilation of the artery.
Documentation should include details of the primary procedure, the vessel(s) examined with IVUS, the findings of the ultrasound, and how the information was used in clinical decision-making. For add-on codes, link to the primary procedure performed.
** Always verify payer policies before performing and billing for IVUS. Some payers may consider certain uses of IVUS investigational or experimental. Ensure thorough documentation linking the IVUS to the primary procedure to support medical necessity.
- RVU: Facility: 1.80, Non-Facility: 2.59 (as of 2024)
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Vascular surgery, interventional radiology, cardiology (in some cases)
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center