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Absolute quantitation of myocardial blood flow (AQMBF) is a diagnostic procedure that utilizes single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to assess blood flow to the heart muscle. This technique is particularly valuable in diagnosing and monitoring coronary artery disease, as well as evaluating the severity of microvascular disease and the effectiveness of treatment interventions. The procedure begins with the establishment of intravenous access, followed by the placement of electrocardiogram (ECG) leads and a blood pressure cuff on the patient's arm. The patient is positioned flat on a table in the procedure room, where myocardial perfusion imaging is conducted either at rest or under stress. Stress can be induced through physical exercise, such as walking on a treadmill or pedaling on a stationary bike, or through the administration of a pharmacologic agent via intravenous injection. During the procedure, a radionuclide tracer is injected, which allows for the imaging of the myocardium. Healthy heart tissue absorbs the radionuclide, while ischemic areas do not, providing critical information about blood flow. The imaging data is processed using dedicated software, which analyzes the images and generates a polar map that illustrates the relative perfusion of the coronary arterial beds and myocardial tissue. The output includes numerical data reflecting blood flow in milliliters per gram per minute (mL/g/min) at both rest and stress conditions. This AQMBF data is then integrated with static perfusion imaging results to create a comprehensive report. It is important to note that CPT® Code 0742T is reported separately in addition to the code for the primary SPECT procedure, highlighting its role as an adjunctive measure in the overall assessment of myocardial perfusion.
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The absolute quantitation of myocardial blood flow (AQMBF) using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is indicated for the following conditions:
The procedure for absolute quantitation of myocardial blood flow (AQMBF) involves several key steps that ensure accurate imaging and assessment of myocardial perfusion:
After the procedure, patients may be monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the radionuclide tracer or the pharmacologic agent used during stress testing. Patients are typically advised to hydrate well to help flush the radionuclide from their system. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results of the AQMBF assessment and any further diagnostic or therapeutic steps that may be necessary based on the findings. It is essential for healthcare providers to review the complete report generated from the AQMBF data in conjunction with other clinical information to make informed decisions regarding patient care.
| Short Descr | AQMBF SPECT XERS/STRS & REST | Medium Descr | AQMBF SPECT W/EXERCISE/RX STRESS & REST | Long Descr | Absolute quantitation of myocardial blood flow (AQMBF), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), with exercise or pharmacologic stress, and at rest, when performed (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | Status Code | Carriers Price the Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | none | MUE | 1 |
This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.
| 78451 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC S ASC Z2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); single study, at rest or stress (exercise or pharmacologic) | 78452 | MPFS Status: Active Code APC S ASC Z2 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); multiple studies, at rest and/or stress (exercise or pharmacologic) and/or redistribution and/or rest reinjection |
| 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 52 | Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use). |
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| 2023-01-01 | Added | Code added. |
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