© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 33933 involves the meticulous preparation of a cadaver donor heart and lung allograft prior to transplantation. This preparation is critical to ensure that the allograft is suitable for implantation into the recipient. The process begins with the careful removal of the heart and lungs from a sterile container, where they are kept on ice and continuously bathed in a cold preservation solution to maintain their viability. The heart is inspected thoroughly, with particular attention given to the coronary arteries, which are palpated to assess their condition. If any repairs are necessary, these are performed as separate procedures, ensuring that the integrity of the allograft is preserved. The aorta, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and trachea are also examined and prepared for implantation. This includes identifying and repairing or excising the cannulation site on the aorta, inspecting the superior vena cava for the presence of the azygos vein orifice, and addressing any thrombus found during the inspection. The inferior vena cava is evaluated for anatomical considerations, and any defects in the atrial septum are noted for potential repair in a separately reportable procedure. The lungs are not overlooked; their external surfaces are examined for defects, which are also addressed through separate procedures if necessary. The trachea undergoes specific preparations, including the removal of the tracheal staple line and culturing of secretions. Throughout this process, the allograft is carefully maintained in a cold saline environment to ensure optimal conditions until the transplantation procedure commences. This comprehensive preparation is essential for the success of the transplantation and the overall outcome for the recipient.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 33933 is indicated for the preparation of a cadaver donor heart and lung allograft prior to transplantation. This preparation is essential for ensuring the allograft's viability and suitability for implantation in a recipient. The indications for this procedure include:
The procedure for the backbench standard preparation of a cadaver donor heart/lung allograft involves several critical steps to ensure the allograft is ready for transplantation. The steps include:
Post-procedure care following the preparation of the cadaver donor heart/lung allograft is crucial to ensure the allograft remains viable until transplantation. The allograft must be kept in a cold saline environment to maintain its integrity. Continuous monitoring of the allograft's condition is necessary, and any changes should be documented. The allograft should be handled with care to prevent any damage or contamination before it is implanted into the recipient. Additionally, any specimens collected during the procedure, such as thrombus for culture, should be processed according to laboratory protocols to ensure accurate results. The timing of the transplantation procedure is critical, as the viability of the allograft is time-sensitive.
| Short Descr | PREPARE DONOR HEART/LUNG | Medium Descr | BKBENCH PREPJ CADAVER DONOR HEART/LUNG ALLOGRAFT | Long Descr | Backbench standard preparation of cadaver donor heart/lung allograft prior to transplantation, including dissection of allograft from surrounding soft tissues to prepare aorta, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and trachea for implantation | Status Code | Carriers Price the Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | 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) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 176 - Other organ transplantation |
| 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). | 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. | 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). | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2005-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2005. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.