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Official Description

Endovascular repair of visceral aorta (eg, aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, dissection, penetrating ulcer, intramural hematoma, or traumatic disruption) by deployment of a fenestrated visceral aortic endograft and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, including target zone angioplasty, when performed; including three visceral artery endoprostheses (superior mesenteric, celiac and/or renal artery[s])

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 34843 refers to the endovascular repair of the visceral aorta, which encompasses various conditions such as aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, dissections, penetrating ulcers, intramural hematomas, or traumatic disruptions. This procedure utilizes a fenestrated visceral aortic endograft, a specialized type of prosthesis designed to treat defects in the aorta that extend into or above the branches of the visceral arteries. The fenestrated endograft features openings at the ostia of the superior mesenteric, celiac, and/or renal arteries, allowing for the uninterrupted flow of blood into these critical branches. The procedure is initiated with an incision in the groin to access the femoral artery, followed by the placement of a trocar and the advancement of a guidewire through the arterial system into the aorta. The guidewire is maneuvered through the aortic defect to a position just above the proximal aspect of the defect, facilitating the introduction of the endograft. The deployment of the endograft is performed under fluoroscopic guidance, ensuring that the fenestrations align correctly with the visceral arteries. This meticulous process is crucial for the successful repair of the aortic defect while maintaining blood flow to the visceral branches. The procedure also includes the placement of stents through the ostia of the involved visceral arteries, further securing the repair and ensuring the patency of these vessels. Overall, CPT® Code 34843 captures the complexity and precision involved in the endovascular repair of the visceral aorta using advanced techniques and technologies.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The endovascular repair of the visceral aorta using CPT® Code 34843 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Aneurysm - A localized enlargement of the aorta that can lead to rupture if not treated.
  • Pseudoaneurysm - A false aneurysm that occurs when blood leaks out of the artery and is contained by surrounding tissue.
  • Dissection - A serious condition where there is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, allowing blood to flow between the layers of the artery wall.
  • Piercing Ulcer - An ulceration that penetrates the aortic wall, potentially leading to serious complications.
  • Intramural Hematoma - A collection of blood within the wall of the aorta, which can compromise the integrity of the vessel.
  • Traumatic Disruption - Damage to the aorta resulting from trauma, necessitating surgical intervention to restore vascular integrity.

2. Procedure

The procedure for endovascular repair of the visceral aorta using CPT® Code 34843 involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Accessing the Femoral Artery - The procedure begins with an incision made in the groin area to access the femoral artery. This access point is crucial for the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 2: Guidewire Placement - A trocar is inserted into the femoral artery, and a guidewire is advanced through the external and common iliac arteries into the aorta. The guidewire is then maneuvered through the aortic defect to a position just above the proximal aspect of the defect.
  • Step 3: Introducer Sheath Advancement - An introducer sheath containing the compressed fenestrated aortic endograft is advanced over the guidewire and positioned in the aorta. The proximal edge of the endograft is placed above the involved visceral arteries and the top of the defect, while the distal edge lies below the bottom of the defect.
  • Step 4: Deployment of the Endograft - The prosthesis is deployed under fluoroscopic guidance, ensuring that the fenestrations align correctly over the involved visceral vessels. The deployment is verified fluoroscopically to confirm proper positioning and coverage of the aortic defect.
  • Step 5: Balloon Catheter Introduction - After the introducer sheath is removed, a balloon catheter is introduced and expanded to secure the proximal and distal ends of the prosthesis, ensuring a tight fit within the aorta.
  • Step 6: Stent Placement - Stents are placed through the ostia of the involved visceral arteries, and a balloon catheter is used to seat the stents securely in place.
  • Step 7: Angiography - A pigtail or side-hole catheter is introduced over the guidewire, and angiography is performed to evaluate the position of the endograft and stents, assess the patency of the superior mesenteric, celiac, and renal arteries, and check for any endoleaks.
  • Step 8: Closure - Finally, all catheters and guidewires are removed, and the groin incision is closed, completing the procedure.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the endovascular repair of the visceral aorta involves monitoring the patient for any complications, such as bleeding or infection at the incision site. Patients may require imaging studies to ensure the proper positioning of the endograft and stents, as well as to check for any endoleaks. Recovery time may vary, but patients are typically advised to limit physical activity for a period to allow for healing. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the long-term success of the repair and to monitor the aorta and visceral arteries for any changes or complications.

Short Descr ENDOVASC VISC AORTA 3 GRAFT
Medium Descr ENDOVASC VISCER AORTA REPAIR FENEST 3 ENDOGRAFT
Long Descr Endovascular repair of visceral aorta (eg, aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, dissection, penetrating ulcer, intramural hematoma, or traumatic disruption) by deployment of a fenestrated visceral aortic endograft and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, including target zone angioplasty, when performed; including three visceral artery endoprostheses (superior mesenteric, celiac and/or renal artery[s])
Status Code Carriers Price the Code
Global Days YYY - Carrier Determines Whether Global Concept Applies
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) P2B - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Aneurysm repair
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)
34808 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Endovascular placement of iliac artery occlusion device (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)
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.
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.
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
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Notes
2014-02-10 Changed Guideline information changed. Removed 35081, 35102 Effective 2014-02-10 per AMA 2014 corrections document posted 2014-03-24
2014-01-01 Added Added
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