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Official Description

Transcatheter delivery of enhanced fixation device(s) to the endograft (eg, anchor, screw, tack) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 34712 refers to the transcatheter delivery of enhanced fixation devices to an endograft, which may include anchors, screws, tacks, or staples. This procedure is essential in situations where there is a risk of migration or dislocation of the stent graft, as well as the potential occurrence of endoleaks. Such risks may arise due to increased forces acting on the endograft. The procedure begins with accessing the femoral artery, which can be achieved either through a small skin incision or via a percutaneous needle puncture. Utilizing fluoroscopic guidance, a fixation device is advanced to the endograft through a deflatable guide sheath and an electromechanical delivery device. The fixation device, which is typically made of a metal alloy, is then deployed into the landing zone of the stent graft, ensuring that it does not penetrate the adventitia layer of the vessel wall. To ensure adequate security of the endograft, a minimum of four to six fixation devices are utilized. Following the placement of these devices, angiography is performed to verify the correct positioning of the endograft and to check for any endoleaks that may need to be addressed. Finally, the catheter guide sheath and delivery device are withdrawn, and the skin incision is closed, completing the procedure.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The transcatheter delivery of enhanced fixation devices to the endograft is indicated in specific clinical scenarios where the stability of the stent graft is compromised. The following conditions warrant this procedure:

  • Migration Risk The procedure is indicated when there is a significant risk of migration of the stent graft, which can lead to serious complications.
  • Dislocation Threat It is performed when there is a threat of dislocation of the stent graft, which may jeopardize the effectiveness of the endograft.
  • Endoleaks The presence of endoleaks, which are abnormal blood flow patterns that can occur after endovascular repair, may necessitate the use of enhanced fixation devices to secure the endograft.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the transcatheter delivery of enhanced fixation devices involves several critical steps to ensure successful placement and stabilization of the endograft. The following procedural steps are outlined:

  • Step 1: Accessing the Femoral Artery The procedure begins with accessing the femoral artery, which can be accomplished through a small skin incision or a percutaneous needle puncture. This access point is crucial for the subsequent delivery of the fixation devices.
  • Step 2: Fluoroscopic Guidance Under fluoroscopic guidance, a deflatable guide sheath is introduced into the femoral artery. This imaging technique allows for real-time visualization of the vascular structures and the endograft, ensuring accurate placement of the fixation devices.
  • Step 3: Advancing the Fixation Device An electromechanical delivery device is then used to advance the fixation device, which may be an anchor, screw, tack, or staple, to the endograft. The tapered point of the fixation device is carefully positioned in the landing zone of the stent graft.
  • Step 4: Deployment of the Fixation Device The fixation device is deployed by firing it through the landing zone into the vessel wall, taking care to avoid penetration through the adventitia layer. This step is critical to ensure that the device secures the endograft without causing damage to the surrounding vascular structures.
  • Step 5: Securing the Endograft A minimum of four to six fixation devices are typically required to effectively secure the endograft to the vessel. This multiple-device approach enhances the stability of the stent graft and reduces the risk of migration or dislocation.
  • Step 6: Angiography Confirmation After the fixation devices are in place, angiography is performed to confirm the correct position of the endograft and to check for any endoleaks that may need to be addressed. This imaging step is essential for ensuring the success of the procedure.
  • Step 7: Withdrawal and Closure Finally, the catheter guide sheath and delivery device are withdrawn from the femoral artery, and the skin incision is closed, completing the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any complications that may arise following the placement of the fixation devices. Patients may require follow-up imaging studies to ensure the stability of the endograft and to assess for any potential endoleaks. Additionally, standard post-operative care protocols should be followed, including monitoring vital signs and managing any discomfort or pain. The healthcare team should provide instructions regarding activity restrictions and signs of complications that the patient should report, such as unusual swelling, pain, or changes in circulation in the affected limb.

Short Descr TCAT DLVR ENHNCD FIXJ DEV
Medium Descr TRANSCATHETER DLVR ENHNCD FIXATION DEVICES RS&I
Long Descr Transcatheter delivery of enhanced fixation device(s) to the endograft (eg, anchor, screw, tack) and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation
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) 2 - Co-surgeons permitted and no documentation required if the two- specialty requirement is met.
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) none
MUE 1

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

34713 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Percutaneous access and closure of femoral artery for delivery of endograft through a large sheath (12 French or larger), including ultrasound guidance, when performed, unilateral (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)
34715 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Open axillary/subclavian artery exposure for delivery of endovascular prosthesis by infraclavicular or supraclavicular 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)
34812 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Open femoral artery exposure for delivery of endovascular prosthesis, by groin incision, unilateral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
34820 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Open iliac artery exposure for delivery of endovascular prosthesis or iliac occlusion during endovascular therapy, by abdominal or retroperitoneal 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)
34834 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Open brachial artery exposure for delivery of endovascular prosthesis, unilateral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
37252 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; initial noncoronary vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
37253 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; each additional noncoronary vessel (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).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
50 Bilateral procedure: unless otherwise identified in the listings, bilateral procedures that are performed at the same session, should be identified by adding modifier 50 to the appropriate 5 digit code. note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
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.
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.
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.
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).
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
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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2018-01-01 Added Code Added.
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