© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 33615 involves the surgical repair of complex cardiac anomalies, specifically addressing conditions such as tricuspid atresia. Tricuspid atresia is a congenital heart defect characterized by the absence or imperforate nature of the tricuspid valve, which is situated between the right atrium and right ventricle. This condition often coexists with an atrial septal defect (ASD), which is an abnormal opening in the interatrial septum that allows blood to flow between the left and right atria. The surgical intervention aims to correct these anomalies by performing a closure of the ASD and executing a simple Fontan procedure. The Fontan procedure is a palliative surgical technique that reroutes blood flow to ensure that deoxygenated blood from the body is directed to the pulmonary artery, thereby bypassing the right ventricle, which is either underdeveloped or non-functional in patients with tricuspid atresia. This complex surgical approach requires careful planning and execution, as it involves accessing the heart through a median sternotomy, utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass, and performing intricate anastomoses to establish proper blood flow dynamics. The ultimate goal of this procedure is to improve oxygenation and overall cardiac function in patients with these significant congenital heart defects.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 33615 is indicated for patients with complex cardiac anomalies, particularly those with tricuspid atresia. The following conditions and symptoms may warrant this surgical intervention:
The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 33615 involves several critical steps to repair the cardiac anomalies effectively. The following procedural steps outline the process:
Following the completion of the procedure, patients typically require close monitoring in a postoperative care unit. Expected recovery may involve managing pain, monitoring for any signs of complications such as bleeding or infection, and ensuring proper respiratory function. The placement of chest tubes is crucial for draining fluid and preventing complications related to fluid accumulation. Patients may also undergo imaging studies to assess the success of the surgical repairs and the overall function of the heart. Rehabilitation and follow-up care will be necessary to monitor the patient's progress and address any ongoing cardiac issues.
| Short Descr | REPAIR MODIFIED FONTAN | Medium Descr | RPR CAR ANOMAL CLSR SEPTL DFCT SMPL FONTAN PX | Long Descr | Repair of complex cardiac anomalies (eg, tricuspid atresia) by closure of atrial septal defect and anastomosis of atria or vena cava to pulmonary artery (simple Fontan procedure) | 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 | 49 - Other OR heart procedures |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 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) | 33924 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Ligation and takedown of a systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt, performed in conjunction with a congenital heart procedure (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). | 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). | 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). |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 1994-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1994. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.