2025 CPT code 92973

Percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy, mechanical; add-on code.

This code should only be reported when mechanical thrombectomy (not aspiration thrombectomy) is performed and is an add-on to the primary PCI code.It cannot stand alone.

Modifiers may apply based on the circumstances of the procedure (e.g., 59 for distinct procedural services, 25 for significant, separately identifiable E/M service).

Medical necessity for 92973 is established when mechanical thrombectomy is required to restore antegrade blood flow in a coronary artery before or during PCI. This might be for acute occlusion (AMI), chronic total occlusion, or significant clot burden impeding stenting.

The cardiologist or interventionalist is responsible for performing the procedure, including patient assessment, pre-procedural planning, access site selection, catheter manipulation, clot fragmentation/removal, and post-procedural care.This requires expertise in cardiovascular anatomy, hemodynamics, and interventional techniques.

IMPORTANT Should not be reported for aspiration thrombectomy.Use in conjunction with codes 92920, 92924, 92928, 92933, 92937, 92941, 92943, 92975, 93454-93461, 93563, 93564.

In simple words: This medical code describes a procedure where a doctor uses a thin tube inserted into a blood vessel to break up and remove blood clots blocking a coronary artery.This is done along with other treatments to fix the narrowed artery.

This CPT code, 92973, represents percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy, a mechanical procedure performed to remove obstructing clots or plaque from coronary arteries.It is an add-on code, meaning it's reported in addition to the primary procedure code for treating stenosis (narrowing) and/or angioplasty. The procedure involves accessing the artery (usually via brachial or femoral artery), advancing a catheter with special devices (e.g., blades, water jet) to break up the clot, and then removing the clot fragments. This is followed by the primary intervention to address the underlying stenosis.

Example 1: A 65-year-old male presents with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to a completely occluded left anterior descending (LAD) artery.92973 is used along with 92941 (PCI of a major coronary artery with acute MI) because mechanical thrombectomy was performed before stenting., A 72-year-old female with chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the right coronary artery (RCA) undergoes PCI.92973 is used with a suitable PCI code (e.g., 92937) if mechanical thrombectomy was necessary to restore antegrade flow before stenting., A 58-year-old male undergoing elective PCI for a significant stenosis in the left circumflex artery requires mechanical thrombectomy to address a smaller clot within the lesion.92973 is appended to the primary PCI code (e.g., 92928) which describes the definitive revascularization of the stenosis.

** Specific device used during mechanical thrombectomy may be documented in the medical record but is not coded separately.The add-on code 92973 is inclusive of all work performed in relation to the mechanical thrombectomy and its relation to the primary PCI code.

  • Revenue Code: P2F (MAJOR PROCEDURE, CARDIOVASCULAR - OTHER)
  • Payment Status: Active
  • Modifier TC rule: Not applicable.
  • Specialties:Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology
  • Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, On Campus-Outpatient Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center
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