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Operative tissue ablation and reconstruction of the atria, specifically through an extensive maze procedure, is a surgical intervention aimed at correcting chronic atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by rapid and uncoordinated contractions of the upper chambers of the heart, leading to an irregular and often rapid heartbeat. The maze procedure is designed to create new electrical pathways within the heart, allowing for the proper conduction of electrical impulses. This is achieved by making precise incisions in the atrial tissue, which effectively interrupts the abnormal electrical signals that contribute to atrial fibrillation. The procedure is performed without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, which distinguishes it from similar procedures that may require this support. Access to the heart is typically gained through a midline sternotomy, where the chest is opened to facilitate the surgical intervention. The goal of the maze procedure is not only to restore normal heart rhythm but also to allow the atria to regain their ability to hold and pump blood effectively, thereby improving overall cardiac function.
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The extensive operative tissue ablation and reconstruction of the atria, as performed in the maze procedure, is indicated for the following conditions:
The maze procedure involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of atrial fibrillation:
Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any complications and ensuring proper recovery. Patients may require close observation in a cardiac care unit to assess heart rhythm and function. Recovery may include managing pain, monitoring for signs of infection at the incision sites, and ensuring that the heart is functioning effectively without arrhythmias. Follow-up appointments will be necessary to evaluate the success of the procedure and to make any adjustments to ongoing treatment plans as needed.
| Short Descr | ABLATE ATRIA W/O BYPASS EXT | Medium Descr | ABLATION & RCNSTJ ATRIA EXTNSV W/O BYPASS | Long Descr | Operative tissue ablation and reconstruction of atria, extensive (eg, maze procedure); without cardiopulmonary bypass | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 090 - Major Surgery | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 0 - Physician Service Code | Multiple Procedures (51) | 2 - Standard 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) | 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required... | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P2B - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Aneurysm repair | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 49 - Other OR heart procedures |
| 22 | Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 62 | Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate. | 78 | Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.) | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | 82 | Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s). | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2007-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2007. |
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