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The procedure described by CPT® Code 33971 involves the removal of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) assist device, which is a critical intervention used in patients with severe cardiac conditions. The IABP is designed to support the heart's function by inflating and deflating a balloon within the aorta, thereby enhancing coronary blood flow during diastole and reducing the workload of the heart during systole. This procedure is particularly relevant for patients who have undergone temporary mechanical support for heart failure or during high-risk cardiac surgeries. The removal of the IABP is performed through a surgical approach that includes a longitudinal incision in the groin to access the femoral artery. The femoral artery is then carefully exposed and controlled to facilitate the removal of the device and any necessary repairs to the artery itself. This may involve suturing the artery directly or utilizing a graft if the arterial integrity has been compromised. The procedure is essential for ensuring the patient's recovery and restoring normal arterial function following the use of the IABP.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 33971 is indicated for patients who have had an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) placed for temporary cardiac support. The following conditions may warrant the removal of the IABP:
The procedure for the removal of the intra-aortic balloon assist device involves several critical steps to ensure safety and efficacy:
Post-procedure care following the removal of the IABP includes monitoring for any signs of complications such as bleeding, infection, or vascular injury. Patients may require close observation in a recovery area to ensure stable hemodynamics and proper healing of the femoral artery. Follow-up imaging may be necessary to assess the integrity of the arterial repair. Additionally, patients will be evaluated for their overall cardiac function and may require further interventions or adjustments to their medical management based on their recovery status.
| Short Descr | AORTIC CIRCULATION ASSIST | Medium Descr | RMVL I-AORT BALO ASST DEV W/RPR FEM ART W/WO GRF | Long Descr | Removal of intra-aortic balloon assist device including repair of femoral artery, with or without graft | 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) | 1 - Statutory 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). | 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. | 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. | 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). | 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 | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | Q1 | Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | XU | Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service |
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| 2022-01-01 | Changed | AMA guideline removed. |
| 2017-01-01 | Changed | Guidelines added. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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