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Official Description

Repair sinus of Valsalva fistula, with cardiopulmonary bypass;

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 33702 involves the surgical repair of a sinus of Valsalva fistula, which is performed with the assistance of cardiopulmonary bypass. The sinus of Valsalva refers to the three anatomical recesses located in the proximal portion of the aorta, corresponding to the three cusps of the aortic valve. A fistula in this area is typically a congenital defect, but it can also arise from other causes such as penetrating or non-penetrating trauma to the chest, complications following surgical procedures, or as a result of endocarditis. During the procedure, cardiopulmonary bypass is established through the use of venous and arterial cannulation, allowing for the heart to be temporarily stopped and blood to be diverted. The ascending aorta is clamped, and an incision is made to access the aorta, where the defect in the sinus of Valsalva is located. The surgical team inspects the aortic valve cusps and the coronary ostia to ensure there are no additional issues. The repair of the fistula is accomplished using sutures or by placing a patch made of pericardial or synthetic material. Once the repair is completed, the ascending aorta is closed, restoring normal blood flow. This procedure is critical for addressing the complications associated with a sinus of Valsalva fistula and preventing further cardiovascular issues.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The repair of a sinus of Valsalva fistula with cardiopulmonary bypass is indicated in the following situations:

  • Congenital Anomaly The procedure is often performed to correct a sinus of Valsalva fistula that is present from birth, which can lead to significant cardiovascular complications if left untreated.
  • Chest Trauma The repair may be necessary following penetrating or non-penetrating trauma to the chest that results in the formation of a fistula.
  • Surgical Complications This procedure may be indicated as a corrective measure for complications arising from previous cardiac surgeries.
  • Endocarditis Complications Patients who have experienced endocarditis may develop a sinus of Valsalva fistula, necessitating surgical intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for repairing a sinus of Valsalva fistula with cardiopulmonary bypass involves several critical steps:

  • Establishment of Cardiopulmonary Bypass The surgical team initiates cardiopulmonary bypass by cannulating the venous and arterial systems, allowing for the heart to be temporarily stopped while maintaining blood circulation to the body.
  • Clamping the Ascending Aorta Once bypass is established, the ascending aorta is clamped to control blood flow and create a surgical field for the repair.
  • Opening the Aorta An incision is made in the aorta to access the area of the sinus of Valsalva. This step is crucial for visualizing the defect that needs to be repaired.
  • Identifying the Defect The surgeon carefully inspects the aortic valve cusps and the coronary ostia to assess any additional damage and to locate the specific defect in the sinus of Valsalva.
  • Repairing the Fistula The actual repair of the sinus of Valsalva fistula is performed using sutures or by placing a patch made of pericardial or synthetic material to close the defect effectively.
  • Closing the Aorta After the repair is completed, the ascending aorta is closed securely to restore normal anatomy and blood flow.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the repair of a sinus of Valsalva fistula typically involves monitoring the patient in a critical care setting to ensure stable hemodynamics and recovery from anesthesia. Patients may require close observation for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or infection. The recovery period may vary depending on the individual patient's condition and the complexity of the procedure. Follow-up imaging studies may be necessary to assess the success of the repair and to monitor for any potential recurrence of the fistula. Additionally, patients may need to adhere to specific activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to ensure optimal recovery and management of their cardiovascular health.

Short Descr REPAIR OF HEART DEFECTS
Medium Descr RPR SINUS VALSALVA FISTULA
Long Descr Repair sinus of Valsalva fistula, with cardiopulmonary bypass;
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)
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).
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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2010-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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