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Official Description

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) with prosthetic valve; open axillary 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 open axillary artery approach, specifically indicated by CPT® Code 33363, involves accessing the aorta through the axillary artery, allowing for the placement of a prosthetic valve with reduced recovery time and lower risk of complications compared to conventional surgical methods. The procedure incorporates advanced imaging techniques, such as fluoroscopy and echocardiography, to ensure accurate placement of the valve and to monitor the patient's hemodynamic status throughout the intervention.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) procedure is indicated for patients who exhibit the following conditions:

  • Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis Patients presenting with symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or syncope due to narrowing of the aortic valve.
  • High Surgical Risk Individuals who are considered high risk for traditional open-heart surgery due to comorbidities or other health factors.
  • Severe Aortic Stenosis Patients diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, as determined by echocardiographic assessment.

2. Procedure

The transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful valve placement:

  • Step 1: Catheter Insertion The procedure begins with the insertion of pulmonary and radial artery catheters as needed for hemodynamic monitoring. A transthoracic echocardiography is performed to confirm the diameter of the aortic valve, which is included in the procedure. Alternatively, a transesophageal echocardiography may be reported separately.
  • Step 2: Reference Catheter Placement A reference catheter is placed first via a separate arterial access site, typically using fluoroscopic guidance. A pigtail catheter is then placed percutaneously, and a root aortogram is performed to visualize the aorta.
  • Step 3: Balloon Catheter Advancement A balloon catheter is advanced from the access site to the aortic valve and inflated to increase the diameter of the stenotic valve, preparing it for the prosthetic valve placement.
  • Step 4: Access Site Preparation The skin over the access artery is prepped, and electrocautery is used to dissect the subcutaneous tissue down to the fascia. Sharp dissection is 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 the sheath, which is then advanced from the access artery to the aorta.
  • Step 6: Guidewire Placement A guidewire is inserted and advanced through the aorta, positioning it at the aortic 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 to facilitate the placement of the valve.
  • Step 8: Valve Deployment The compressed valve is positioned in the native diseased aortic valve and deployed. The valve cage is subsequently removed.
  • Step 9: Balloon Inflation A balloon tip catheter is positioned in the prosthetic valve, and the balloon is inflated to ensure proper seating of the aortic valve.
  • Step 10: Completion Angiography Contrast is injected, and a completion angiography is performed to confirm that the valve is functioning properly. All catheters are then removed.
  • Step 11: Vascular Access Site Repair The vascular access site in the femoral, axillary, or iliac artery is repaired with sutures, and pressure is applied to other vascular access sites, followed by the application of pressure dressings.

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. Expected recovery may vary, but patients generally experience a shorter hospital stay compared to traditional open-heart surgery. Post-procedure care includes monitoring vital signs, managing pain, and ensuring proper healing of the vascular access sites. Follow-up echocardiography may be performed to evaluate the function of the prosthetic valve and to ensure there are no complications such as leakage or obstruction. Patients are advised on activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to monitor their recovery and overall heart health.

Short Descr REPLACE AORTIC VALVE OPEN
Medium Descr REPLACE AORTIC VALVE OPEN AXILLRY ARTRY APPROACH
Long Descr Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR/TAVI) with prosthetic valve; open axillary 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.
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).
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.
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).
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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2013-01-01 Added Added
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