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Official Description

Endovascular repair of visceral aorta and infrarenal abdominal aorta (eg, aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, dissection, penetrating ulcer, intramural hematoma, or traumatic disruption) with a fenestrated visceral aortic endograft and concomitant unibody or modular infrarenal aortic endograft and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, including target zone angioplasty, when performed; including four or more 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 34848 refers to the endovascular repair of the visceral aorta and the infrarenal abdominal aorta, specifically addressing conditions such as aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, dissections, penetrating ulcers, intramural hematomas, or traumatic disruptions. This procedure utilizes a fenestrated visceral aortic endograft, which is designed with openings (fenestrations) that align with the ostia of the superior mesenteric, celiac, and renal arteries, allowing for uninterrupted blood flow into these critical branches. In conjunction with the fenestrated endograft, a unibody or modular infrarenal aortic endograft is also employed to ensure comprehensive coverage of the aortic defect. The procedure is performed through a minimally invasive approach, typically initiated with an incision in the groin to access the femoral artery. The endovascular technique is guided by radiological supervision and interpretation, which includes target zone angioplasty when necessary. This code encompasses the placement of four or more visceral artery endoprostheses, which may include stents for the superior mesenteric, celiac, and renal arteries, ensuring that the entire defect is adequately addressed and secured.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The endovascular repair of the visceral aorta and infrarenal abdominal aorta using CPT® Code 34848 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 but is contained by surrounding tissue.
  • Dissection A serious condition where there is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, leading to separation of the layers of the aortic 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 vessel's integrity.
  • Traumatic Disruption Injury to the aorta resulting from trauma, necessitating surgical intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for endovascular repair using CPT® Code 34848 involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Accessing the Femoral Artery An incision is made in the groin area to access the femoral artery, which serves as the entry point for the endovascular procedure.
  • Step 2: Guidewire Placement A trocar is inserted, and a guidewire is advanced through the femoral artery, navigating through the external and common iliac arteries into the aorta. This guidewire is then maneuvered through the defect to a position just above the proximal aspect of the defect.
  • Step 3: Introducer Sheath Advancement An introducer sheath containing the compressed aortic endograft is advanced over the guidewire and positioned in the aorta, ensuring that the proximal edge is above the involved visceral arteries and the top of the defect, while the distal edge lies below the bottom of the defect in the visceral aorta.
  • Step 4: Deployment of Endografts Both the visceral aortic endograft and the unibody or modular infrarenal endograft are deployed to cover the entire defect. The deployment is performed under fluoroscopic guidance, ensuring that the fenestrations align correctly with the involved visceral vessels.
  • Step 5: Balloon Catheter Use After deployment, a balloon catheter is introduced and expanded to secure the proximal and distal portions of the prostheses, ensuring proper seating.
  • Step 6: Stent Placement Stents are placed through the ostia of the involved visceral arteries, and a balloon catheter is used to seat these stents securely.
  • Step 7: Angiography A pigtail or side-hole catheter is introduced over the guidewire for angiography, which evaluates the position and patency of the endograft and stents, as well as checks for any endoleaks.
  • Step 8: Closure After confirming the successful placement and patency of the arteries, all catheters and guidewires are removed, and the groin incision is closed.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following the endovascular repair using CPT® Code 34848 includes monitoring for any complications such as bleeding, infection, or endoleaks. Patients are typically observed for a period to ensure stability and proper recovery. Follow-up imaging studies may be required to assess the integrity of the endograft and the patency of the visceral arteries. Patients may also receive instructions regarding activity restrictions and signs of potential complications to watch for during their recovery period.

Short Descr VISC & INFRAREN ABD 4+ PROST
Medium Descr VISCER AND INFRARENAL ABDOM AORTA 4+ PROSTHESIS
Long Descr Endovascular repair of visceral aorta and infrarenal abdominal aorta (eg, aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, dissection, penetrating ulcer, intramural hematoma, or traumatic disruption) with a fenestrated visceral aortic endograft and concomitant unibody or modular infrarenal aortic endograft and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, including target zone angioplasty, when performed; including four or more 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.

34709 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Placement of extension prosthesis(es) distal to the common iliac artery(ies) or proximal to the renal artery(ies) for endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic or iliac aneurysm, false aneurysm, dissection, penetrating ulcer, including pre-procedure sizing and device selection, all nonselective catheterization(s), all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, and treatment zone angioplasty/stenting, when performed, per vessel treated (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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)
37222 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, iliac artery, each additional ipsilateral iliac vessel; with transluminal angioplasty (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
37223 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, iliac artery, each additional ipsilateral iliac vessel; with transluminal stent placement(s), includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed (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)
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.
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
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.
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
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).
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.
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2017-01-01 Changed Guideline changed.
2014-02-10 Changed Guideline information changed. Changed 34845-34848 to 37220-37223 Effective 2014-02-10 per AMA 2014 corrections document posted 2014-03-24
2014-01-01 Added Added
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