© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 33967 involves the insertion of an intra-aortic balloon assist device (IABP) using a percutaneous approach. This technique is primarily utilized to support patients with severe cardiac conditions by enhancing coronary perfusion and improving cardiac output. The procedure begins with the puncture of the femoral artery, although alternative access points such as the subclavian, axillary, or iliac arteries may also be employed. A J-shaped guidewire is then inserted through the puncture site, advancing it to the level of the aortic arch. Following this, the needle is removed, and the arterial puncture site is enlarged using a dilator and sheath combination to facilitate the passage of the balloon device. The balloon is carefully threaded over the guidewire and advanced through the descending aorta, positioning it just below the left subclavian artery. Once in place, the sheath is removed, and the balloon hub is connected to the balloon pump console, which is crucial for the device's operation. The IABP functions by inflating at the start of diastole, thereby augmenting coronary perfusion, and deflating during systole to assist in the ejection of blood from the left ventricle. This mechanism effectively increases cardiac output while simultaneously reducing the workload and oxygen demands of the left ventricle. The procedure is critical in managing patients with compromised cardiac function, providing temporary support until further interventions can be performed.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The insertion of an intra-aortic balloon assist device (IABP) is indicated for patients experiencing severe cardiac conditions that necessitate temporary mechanical support. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for the insertion of the intra-aortic balloon assist device (IABP) follows a series of well-defined steps to ensure proper placement and functionality:
After the insertion of the intra-aortic balloon assist device, specific post-procedure care is essential to ensure patient safety and device functionality. The balloon is deflated, and the IABP is carefully withdrawn from the arterial access site. Following removal, pressure is applied to the artery to control any potential bleeding. A sterile pressure dressing is then applied to the puncture site to promote healing and prevent infection. Continuous monitoring of the patient's hemodynamic status is crucial during the recovery phase to assess the effectiveness of the IABP and to identify any complications that may arise.
| Short Descr | INSERT I-AORT PERCUT DEVICE | Medium Descr | INSERTION INTRA-AORTIC BALLOON ASSIST DEV PERQ | Long Descr | Insertion of intra-aortic balloon assist device, percutaneous | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | 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) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies 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) | P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 49 - Other OR heart procedures |
| 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). | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 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. | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service | AS | Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery | 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. | 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). | 53 | Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) 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). | 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. | 76 | Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 77 | Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service. | 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.) | 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). | 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 | AO | Alternate payment method declined by provider of service | AQ | Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa) | CA | Procedure payable only in the inpatient setting when performed emergently on an outpatient who expires prior to admission | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | ET | Emergency services | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | KX | Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met | LC | Left circumflex coronary artery | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | RC | Right coronary artery | RT | Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body) | XE | Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter | XP | Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner | XS | Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2002-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2002. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.