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Official Description

Coronary artery bypass, vein only; 5 coronary venous grafts

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The coronary arteries are vital blood vessels that supply oxygen and essential nutrients to the heart muscle. When these arteries become narrowed or blocked due to conditions such as atherosclerosis, it can lead to ischemic heart disease, which may result in chest pain (angina) or even myocardial infarction (heart attack). To address these issues, a surgical procedure known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is performed. This procedure aims to reroute blood flow around the obstructed or narrowed sections of the coronary arteries, thereby restoring adequate blood supply to the heart. In the case of CPT® Code 33514, the procedure specifically involves the use of veins, typically harvested from the patient's legs, to create five coronary venous grafts. The surgical process begins with the harvesting of one or more veins, often the greater saphenous veins, which requires making incisions in the thigh or calf. Following this, an incision is made in the chest to access the heart, where the sternum is divided, and the ribs are retracted to provide a clear view of the heart. The surgery can be performed using either the off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) technique, which allows the surgery to be conducted on a beating heart, or through cardiopulmonary bypass, where the patient is connected to a heart-lung machine. The prepared vein grafts are then meticulously sewn into place, connecting one end to the ascending aorta and the other end to the coronary artery beyond the blockage. This procedure is critical for patients with significant coronary artery disease, as it can significantly improve blood flow to the heart and reduce the risk of serious cardiac events.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 33514 is indicated for patients who have significant narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which can lead to ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:

  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) - A condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
  • Angina Pectoris - Chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough blood due to narrowed arteries.
  • Myocardial Infarction - A heart attack that occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle.
  • Severe Coronary Artery Blockage - Significant obstruction in one or more coronary arteries that cannot be managed effectively with medication or less invasive procedures.

2. Procedure

The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 33514 involves several critical steps to ensure successful coronary artery bypass grafting using five venous grafts. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Vein Harvesting - The procedure begins with the harvesting of one or more veins, typically the greater saphenous veins from the legs. This involves making incisions in the thigh or calf to access the veins, which are then carefully removed and prepared for grafting.
  • Step 2: Chest Incision - An incision is made in the chest to access the heart. The sternum is divided, and the ribs are retracted to provide a clear view of the heart, allowing the surgeon to perform the bypass grafting effectively.
  • Step 3: Heart Stabilization - The procedure may be performed using the off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) technique, which allows the surgery to be conducted on a beating heart, or through cardiopulmonary bypass, where the patient is connected to a heart-lung machine to take over the function of the heart and lungs during the surgery.
  • Step 4: Grafting - The prepared vein grafts are sewn into place, with one end of each graft attached to the ascending aorta and the other end connected to the diseased coronary artery at a point beyond the blockage. This reroutes blood flow around the obstructed area.
  • Step 5: Conclusion of Procedure - If cardiopulmonary bypass was used, it is discontinued at this stage. The surgical site is then closed, and the patient is monitored for recovery.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the coronary artery bypass grafting procedure, patients typically require close monitoring in a recovery unit. Post-operative care may include pain management, monitoring for any signs of complications such as infection or graft failure, and ensuring that the patient is stable before transferring them to a regular hospital room. Patients are often encouraged to begin light physical activity as part of their recovery process, and they may receive guidance on lifestyle modifications to support heart health. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the success of the grafts and the overall recovery of the patient.

Short Descr CABG VEIN FIVE
Medium Descr CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS 5 CORONARY VENOUS GRAFTS
Long Descr Coronary artery bypass, vein only; 5 coronary venous grafts
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) 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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2A - Major procedure, cardiovascular-CABG
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 44 - Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

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)
33258 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), without cardiopulmonary bypass (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)
33508 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Illustration for Code Endoscopy, surgical, including video-assisted harvest of vein(s) for coronary artery bypass procedure (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)
33572 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Physician Quality Reporting CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Coronary endarterectomy, open, any method, of left anterior descending, circumflex, or right coronary artery performed in conjunction with coronary artery bypass graft procedure, each vessel (List separately in addition to 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)
35500 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N CPT Assistant Article Harvest of upper extremity vein, 1 segment, for lower extremity or coronary artery bypass procedure (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
35572 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Harvest of femoropopliteal vein, 1 segment, for vascular reconstruction procedure (eg, aortic, vena caval, coronary, peripheral artery) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
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).
55 Postoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the postoperative management and another performed the surgical procedure, the postoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 55 to the usual procedure number.
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
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Action
Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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