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Official Description

Valvuloplasty, tricuspid valve; without ring insertion

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 33463 refers to a valvuloplasty of the tricuspid valve, specifically performed without the insertion of a prosthetic ring. The tricuspid valve is a critical component of the heart, situated between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Its primary function is to ensure unidirectional blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle, preventing backflow during ventricular contraction. Tricuspid valve regurgitation, which is the condition addressed by this procedure, occurs when the valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to leak back into the right atrium. This can lead to various complications, including heart failure and other cardiovascular issues. During the procedure, the physician utilizes cardiopulmonary bypass to maintain circulation and oxygenation while the heart is temporarily stopped. A median sternotomy is performed to access the heart, followed by an incision in the right atrium to expose the tricuspid valve. The specific repair techniques employed depend on the nature and severity of the valve's damage, which may involve structural components such as the leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, or papillary muscles. The goal of the valvuloplasty is to restore proper function to the tricuspid valve, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with regurgitation and improving the patient's overall cardiac function.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure is indicated for patients experiencing tricuspid valve regurgitation, insufficiency, or incompetence. These conditions may manifest due to various underlying issues, including structural alterations of the valve components. The following are specific indications for performing a tricuspid valve valvuloplasty:

  • Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation - A condition where the tricuspid valve does not close tightly, leading to backflow of blood into the right atrium during ventricular contraction.
  • Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - A state in which the valve fails to function properly, resulting in inadequate sealing during the cardiac cycle.
  • Tricuspid Valve Incompetence - A term used to describe the inability of the valve to maintain proper closure, contributing to hemodynamic disturbances.

2. Procedure

The procedure for tricuspid valve valvuloplasty without ring insertion involves several critical steps, each aimed at addressing the specific issues with the valve. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation and Anesthesia - The patient is prepared for surgery, and general anesthesia is administered to ensure comfort and immobility during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Median Sternotomy - A median sternotomy is performed to gain access to the heart. This involves making an incision along the sternum and separating the ribcage to expose the thoracic cavity.
  • Step 3: Establishing Cardiopulmonary Bypass - Cardiopulmonary bypass is initiated, which diverts blood away from the heart and lungs, allowing the surgeon to operate on a still and bloodless field. Cardioplegia is also initiated to temporarily stop the heart and protect myocardial tissue.
  • Step 4: Incision in the Right Atrium - An incision is made in the right atrium to access the tricuspid valve. This step is crucial for visualizing and repairing the valve.
  • Step 5: Exposure and Assessment of the Tricuspid Valve - The tricuspid valve is carefully exposed, and the surgeon assesses the extent of damage or malformation. This assessment guides the type of repair needed.
  • Step 6: Valve Repair Techniques - Depending on the findings, various repair techniques may be employed. If the valve annulus is dilated, an annuloplasty may be performed by plicating the edges of the valve to reduce the orifice size. If the chordae tendineae are ruptured or elongated, they may be resected and plicated. Reconstruction of the valve leaflets may also be necessary, and broken chordae can be replaced with nonabsorbable synthetic sutures. Other techniques may include transferring chordae from one leaflet to another.
  • Step 7: Closure of the Heart Incision - Once the repair is completed, the incision in the right atrium is closed, and the heart is prepared to be weaned off cardiopulmonary bypass.
  • Step 8: Weaning from Cardiopulmonary Bypass - The patient is gradually weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass, allowing the heart to resume its normal function.
  • Step 9: Chest Tube Placement and Closure - Chest tubes are placed as needed to drain any excess fluid or air, and the chest is closed securely.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the tricuspid valve valvuloplasty, patients typically require close monitoring in a recovery unit. Post-procedure care may include managing pain, monitoring vital signs, and ensuring proper heart function. Patients may also need to stay in the hospital for several days to recover fully. The placement of chest tubes allows for the drainage of any fluid accumulation, which is a common occurrence following cardiac surgery. The healthcare team will provide instructions regarding activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to assess the success of the procedure and the patient's recovery progress.

Short Descr VALVULOPLASTY TRICUSPID
Medium Descr VALVULOPLASTY TRICUSPID VALVE W/O RING INSERTION
Long Descr Valvuloplasty, tricuspid valve; without ring insertion
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) 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.

33141 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Transmyocardial laser revascularization, by thoracotomy; performed at the time of other open cardiac procedure(s) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
33257 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Illustration for Code Operative tissue ablation and reconstruction of atria, performed at the time of other cardiac procedure(s), limited (eg, modified maze procedure) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
33259 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Illustration for Code Operative tissue ablation and reconstruction of atria, performed at the time of other cardiac procedure(s), extensive (eg, maze procedure), with cardiopulmonary bypass (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
33530 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Reoperation, coronary artery bypass procedure or valve procedure, more than 1 month after original operation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
34714 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Open femoral artery exposure with creation of conduit for delivery of endovascular prosthesis or for establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass, by groin incision, unilateral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
34716 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Open axillary/subclavian artery exposure with creation of conduit for delivery of endovascular prosthesis or for establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass, by infraclavicular or supraclavicular incision, unilateral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
34833 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Open iliac artery exposure with creation of conduit for delivery of endovascular prosthesis or for establishment of cardiopulmonary bypass, by abdominal or retroperitoneal incision, unilateral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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.
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.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
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).
AG Primary physician
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
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
1994-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1994.
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