2025 CPT code 84450
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Laboratory - Chemistry Procedures Pathology and Laboratory Procedures > Chemistry Procedures Feed
Quantitative measurement of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) enzyme in a serum or plasma sample.
Modifiers 90 and 91 may be applicable in certain situations.
Medical necessity for an AST test is established when a patient presents with symptoms or risk factors for liver disease, cardiac muscle damage, or other conditions where AST elevation is clinically significant.The test may be ordered for diagnostic purposes, to monitor disease progression, or to evaluate treatment effectiveness.Specific payer requirements or guidelines might dictate further medical necessity criteria.
The clinical responsibility lies with the laboratory analyst who performs the technical aspects of the test, including sample preparation, running the test on automated instruments, ensuring proper instrument function, and verifying the results. The ordering physician interprets the results in the context of the patient's clinical presentation.
In simple words: This blood test measures the level of AST, an enzyme found mainly in the liver. High levels may indicate liver damage or problems with the heart or muscles. The test helps doctors check liver health and find out why a person isn't feeling well.
This CPT code, 84450, represents the quantitative determination of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), also known as serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), in a patient's serum or plasma sample.The analysis typically uses a kinetic or enzymatic rate method to measure the color change resulting from AST's enzymatic degradation of a substance.The extent of this color change directly correlates to the AST concentration in the sample, providing a quantitative measure of the enzyme's level.This test is commonly used to evaluate liver function and detect liver damage, but elevated AST levels can also indicate damage to other tissues, including the heart and muscles.
Example 1: A patient presents with symptoms suggestive of liver disease (jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain).An AST test is ordered as part of a liver function panel to assess the extent of liver damage., A patient experiences a suspected myocardial infarction (heart attack).An elevated AST level may indicate cardiac muscle damage and contribute to the diagnosis., A patient with a known history of chronic liver disease undergoes regular monitoring of AST levels to track disease progression and the effectiveness of treatment.
** Elevated AST levels are not specific to a single disease.Correlation with other clinical findings and test results is essential for proper interpretation. This test should be interpreted in conjunction with other liver function tests (LFTs) such as ALT and ALP for a comprehensive assessment of liver health.
- Revenue Code: T1H (LAB TESTS - OTHER (NON-MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE))
- RVU: Information not available in provided text.
- Global Days: Not applicable to this laboratory test.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
- Fee Schedule: No historical fee schedule information is provided.
- Specialties:Hepatology, Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Clinical Laboratory