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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, pseudoaneurysm, and associated occlusive disease, radial or ulnar artery

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 35045 involves the surgical intervention for the repair of a radial or ulnar artery aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm, which may also be associated with occlusive disease. An aneurysm is characterized by an abnormal enlargement or dilation of an artery, often resulting from conditions such as arteriosclerosis, mechanical obstruction, or malposition of the artery. Less frequently, aneurysms can arise from infections like syphilis or tuberculosis, or from structural abnormalities of the vessel wall, such as fibromuscular dysplasia. In contrast, a pseudoaneurysm is a hematoma that forms in communication with the artery but does not involve all three layers of the arterial wall, typically resulting from trauma or complications from medical procedures, such as catheterization. The surgical approach for this procedure includes direct repair or excision of the affected artery, with the option of graft insertion, which may involve the use of a patch graft. The operation is performed through an incision in the arm, allowing access to the affected artery for repair. The procedure aims to restore normal blood flow and address any associated occlusive disease, ensuring the integrity and functionality of the radial or ulnar artery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 35045 is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Aneurysm An abnormal enlargement or dilation of the radial or ulnar artery that may compromise blood flow.
  • Pseudoaneurysm A hematoma that forms in communication with the artery, typically resulting from trauma or procedural complications.
  • Associated Occlusive Disease Conditions that may lead to blockage or narrowing of the artery, necessitating surgical intervention to restore normal blood flow.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 35045 involves several critical steps to ensure effective repair of the aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the surgical site is prepped and draped. If a saphenous vein graft is to be utilized, the lower leg is also prepared for vein harvesting.
  • Step 2: Incision A longitudinal incision is made in the arm over the section of the radial or ulnar artery that requires repair. The incision allows for direct access to the artery.
  • Step 3: Exposure The overlying soft tissues are carefully divided to expose the underlying artery. The radial or ulnar artery is then clamped above and below the aneurysm to control blood flow during the repair.
  • Step 4: Aneurysm Sac Management The aneurysm sac is opened, and any thrombus or plaque present within the sac is removed to facilitate a clean repair. The walls of the artery are then sutured to repair any damage.
  • Step 5: Graft Insertion Depending on the technique chosen, an autogenous (saphenous vein) or synthetic patch graft may be applied as needed. Alternatively, the aneurysm may be excised, and an end-to-end anastomosis of the distal and proximal vessel ends may be performed, with or without a patch graft.
  • Step 6: Tube Graft Placement In some cases, a tube graft may be inserted. A longitudinal incision is made in the artery, and the tube graft is sutured to healthy artery tissue both distal and proximal to the aneurysm.
  • Step 7: Closure After the graft is placed, the aneurysm sac is closed over the graft. Once the repair is completed, the clamps are released, and blood flow is re-established through the artery.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or infection at the surgical site. The patient may require pain management and will be observed for proper blood flow in the affected limb. Follow-up appointments are essential to assess the success of the repair and to ensure that the artery is functioning correctly. Rehabilitation may be necessary to restore full function and strength in the arm following the surgery.

Short Descr REPAIR DEFECT OF ARM ARTERY
Medium Descr DIR RPR RUPTD ANEURYSM RADIAL/ULNAR ARTERY
Long Descr Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, and associated occlusive disease, radial or ulnar artery
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
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.
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).
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
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)
Q6 Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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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