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Official Description

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) with prosthetic valve; open femoral artery approach

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to replace a diseased aortic valve in patients suffering from symptomatic aortic stenosis. This condition occurs when the aortic valve narrows, restricting blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body, which can lead to serious health complications. TAVR/TAVI serves as an alternative to traditional open-heart surgery for aortic valve replacement, offering a less invasive option that can be performed through various access points, including the femoral, axillary, or iliac arteries. The procedure involves the use of advanced catheter-based techniques, allowing for the implantation of a prosthetic valve without the need for extensive surgical intervention. During the procedure, various imaging techniques, such as transthoracic echocardiography or transesophageal echocardiography, may be utilized to assess the aortic valve and guide the placement of the new valve. The use of fluoroscopic guidance is critical for the accurate placement of catheters and the prosthetic valve, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients undergoing this innovative treatment.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) procedure is indicated for patients who exhibit symptoms of aortic stenosis, which may include:

  • Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis Patients presenting with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or syncope due to the narrowing of the aortic valve.
  • Severe Aortic Stenosis Individuals diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, characterized by aortic valve area of less than 1.0 cm² or a mean gradient of greater than 40 mmHg.
  • High Surgical Risk Patients who are considered high risk for traditional open-heart surgery due to comorbidities or other health factors that may complicate recovery.

2. Procedure

The transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful implantation of the prosthetic valve:

  • Step 1: Catheter Insertion The procedure begins with the insertion of pulmonary and radial artery catheters as needed for hemodynamic monitoring. A reference catheter is placed first via a separate arterial access site, typically using fluoroscopic guidance to ensure accurate placement.
  • Step 2: Aortogram A root aortogram is performed using a pigtail catheter to visualize the aortic anatomy and confirm the aortic valve diameter, which is essential for selecting the appropriate size of the prosthetic valve.
  • Step 3: Balloon Valvuloplasty A balloon catheter is advanced from the access site to the aortic valve and inflated to dilate the stenotic valve, creating space for the new valve to be placed.
  • Step 4: Access Site Preparation The skin over the access artery is prepped, and electrocautery is utilized to dissect the subcutaneous tissue down to the fascia. Sharp dissection is then performed to expose the femoral, axillary, or iliac artery.
  • Step 5: Sheath Insertion An 18-gauge needle is inserted into the exposed artery, and the Seldinger technique is employed to insert a sheath, which is advanced from the access artery into the aorta.
  • Step 6: Guidewire Placement A guidewire is inserted and advanced through the aorta, positioning it at the aortic valve to facilitate the delivery of the prosthetic valve.
  • Step 7: Valve Delivery A catheter containing a compressed aortic valve within a valve cage is advanced over the guidewire to the aortic valve. Rapid right ventricular pacing is utilized during the placement of the valve to ensure proper deployment.
  • Step 8: Valve Deployment The compressed valve is positioned in the native diseased aortic valve and deployed. Following deployment, the valve cage is removed, and a balloon tip catheter is positioned in the prosthetic valve.
  • Step 9: Completion Angiography The balloon is inflated to seat the aortic valve properly, and contrast is injected to perform a completion angiography, ensuring that the valve is functioning correctly.
  • Step 10: Catheter Removal and Site Repair All catheters are removed, and the vascular access site in the femoral, axillary, or iliac artery is repaired with sutures. Pressure is applied to other vascular access sites, and pressure dressings are applied to promote hemostasis.

3. Post-Procedure

After the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure, patients are typically monitored for any complications and to assess the function of the newly implanted valve. Recovery may involve a short hospital stay, during which healthcare providers will monitor vital signs and ensure that the patient is stable. Patients may experience some discomfort at the access site, which should gradually improve. Follow-up appointments are essential to evaluate the patient's recovery and the performance of the prosthetic valve. It is important for patients to adhere to any prescribed medication regimens and attend all follow-up visits to ensure optimal outcomes following the procedure.

Short Descr REPLACE AORTIC VALVE OPEN
Medium Descr REPLACE AORTIC VALVE OPENFEMORAL ARTERY APPROACH
Long Descr Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) with prosthetic valve; open femoral artery approach
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
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) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 2 - Co-surgeons permitted and no documentation required if the two- specialty requirement is met.
Team Surgery (66) 1 - Team surgeons could be paid, though...
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) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 43 - Heart valve procedures

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

33367 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) with prosthetic valve; cardiopulmonary bypass support with percutaneous peripheral arterial and venous cannulation (eg, femoral vessels) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
33368 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) with prosthetic valve; cardiopulmonary bypass support with open peripheral arterial and venous cannulation (eg, femoral, iliac, axillary vessels) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
33369 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) with prosthetic valve; cardiopulmonary bypass support with central arterial and venous cannulation (eg, aorta, right atrium, pulmonary artery) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
33370 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Transcatheter placement and subsequent removal of cerebral embolic protection device(s), including arterial access, catheterization, imaging, and radiological supervision and interpretation, percutaneous (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
37252 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; initial noncoronary vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
37253 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; each additional noncoronary vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93568 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for nonselective pulmonary arterial angiography (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93569 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective pulmonary arterial angiography, unilateral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93573 Add-on Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective pulmonary arterial angiography, bilateral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93574 Add-on Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective pulmonary venous angiography of each distinct pulmonary vein during cardiac catheterization (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93575 Add-on Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective pulmonary angiography of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) arising off the aorta or its systemic branches, during cardiac catheterization for congenital heart defects, each distinct vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93662 Addon Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Intracardiac echocardiography during therapeutic/diagnostic intervention, including imaging supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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.
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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