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Official Description

Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for aneurysm and associated occlusive disease, axillary-brachial artery, by arm incision

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 35011 refers to the surgical procedure for the direct repair of an aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm located in the axillary-brachial artery, which is accessed through an incision in the arm. An aneurysm is characterized by an abnormal enlargement or dilation of an artery, which can occur due to various factors such as arteriosclerosis, mechanical obstructions like thoracic outlet syndrome, or abnormalities in the vessel wall, including conditions like fibromuscular dysplasia. Pseudoaneurysms, on the other hand, differ from true aneurysms as they do not involve all three layers of the arterial wall and are often the result of trauma or complications from medical procedures, leading to a pulsating hematoma that communicates with the artery. The procedure involves either direct repair or excision of the aneurysm, with the potential insertion of a graft, which may be autogenous (using the patient's own saphenous vein) or synthetic, and may include the use of a patch graft. The surgical approach is nonemergent and elective, contrasting with procedures for ruptured aneurysms, which are classified under different codes and require immediate intervention to control bleeding. This detailed understanding of the procedure is essential for accurate medical coding and billing, ensuring that healthcare professionals can effectively document and process claims related to this surgical intervention.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 35011 is indicated for the surgical repair of an axillary-brachial artery aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm, particularly when associated with occlusive disease. The following conditions may warrant this surgical intervention:

  • Aneurysm - An abnormal enlargement or dilation of the axillary-brachial artery that may lead to complications if left untreated.
  • Pseudoaneurysm - A hematoma that forms in communication with the artery wall, often resulting from trauma or procedural complications.
  • Associated Occlusive Disease - Conditions that may impede blood flow in the axillary-brachial artery, necessitating surgical intervention to restore normal function.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 35011 involves several critical steps to ensure the successful repair of the aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm:

  • Step 1: Preparation and Anesthesia - The patient is positioned appropriately, and the arm is prepped and draped in a sterile manner. Anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient is comfortable throughout the procedure.
  • Step 2: Incision - A longitudinal incision is made in the arm over the area of the axillary-brachial artery that requires repair. This incision allows access to the underlying structures.
  • Step 3: Exposure of the Artery - The overlying soft tissues are carefully divided to expose the axillary-brachial artery. This step is crucial for visualizing the aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm.
  • Step 4: Clamping the Artery - The artery is clamped as necessary to control blood flow during the repair process, minimizing blood loss and facilitating a clearer surgical field.
  • Step 5: Repair of the Aneurysm Sac - The aneurysm sac is opened, and any thrombus or plaque is removed. The walls of the artery are then sutured to repair the damage.
  • Step 6: Graft Insertion - Depending on the specific case, an autogenous graft (such as a saphenous vein) or a synthetic patch graft may be applied to reinforce the repair. Alternatively, the aneurysm may be excised, and an end-to-end anastomosis of the vessel ends may be performed.
  • Step 7: Closure of the Aneurysm Sac - If a tube graft is used, a longitudinal incision is made in the artery, and the graft is inserted and sutured to the healthy artery above and below the aneurysm. The aneurysm sac is then closed over the graft.
  • Step 8: Re-establishing Blood Flow - Once the repair is completed, the clamps are released, and blood flow is restored to the axillary-brachial artery.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure, the patient is monitored for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or infection. Post-operative care may include pain management, wound care, and instructions for activity restrictions to promote healing. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled to assess the surgical site and ensure proper recovery. The patient may also undergo imaging studies to evaluate the success of the repair and the patency of the artery.

Short Descr REPAIR DEFECT OF ARTERY
Medium Descr DIR RPR ANEURYSM AXIL-BRACHIAL ARM INCISION
Long Descr Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for aneurysm and associated occlusive disease, axillary-brachial artery, by arm incision
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) 1 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures applies.
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) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 61 - Other OR procedures on vessels other than head and neck

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

35572 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Harvest of femoropopliteal vein, 1 segment, for vascular reconstruction procedure (eg, aortic, vena caval, coronary, peripheral artery) (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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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)
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
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
2002-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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