© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 35241 involves the surgical repair of an intrathoracic blood vessel using a vein graft. This complex operation typically requires the chest to be opened, often through a median sternotomy, which is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision along the sternum to access the thoracic cavity. In cases where the injury to the blood vessel is significant, cardiopulmonary bypass may be initiated to maintain blood circulation and oxygenation during the surgery. The injured blood vessel is carefully exposed, and clamps are applied both proximal and distal to the injury site to control any bleeding. The surgeon evaluates the extent of the damage to the blood vessel before proceeding with the repair. A segment of vein, most commonly harvested from the saphenous vein located in the lower leg, is prepared for use as a graft. The edges of the damaged blood vessel are debrided to ensure a clean surface for the graft. The prepared vein graft is then meticulously sewn to the ends of the injured blood vessel, allowing for restoration of blood flow. After the clamps are released, the surgical team checks for hemostasis along the suture line to ensure there is no further bleeding. If cardiopulmonary bypass was utilized during the procedure, the patient is carefully taken off bypass. Finally, the overlying tissues are sutured back together in layers to complete the surgical repair. It is important to note that CPT® Code 35241 is specifically used for repairs performed with cardiopulmonary bypass, while CPT® Code 35246 is designated for repairs conducted without the use of bypass.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure associated with CPT® Code 35241 is indicated for the repair of an intrathoracic blood vessel that has sustained injury. This may occur due to various conditions, including trauma, aneurysms, or other vascular diseases that compromise the integrity of the blood vessel. The need for surgical intervention arises when the injury is significant enough to require a graft to restore normal blood flow and prevent complications such as hemorrhage or ischemia.
The surgical procedure for CPT® Code 35241 involves several critical steps to ensure the successful repair of the injured blood vessel.
Post-procedure care following the repair of an intrathoracic blood vessel with a vein graft involves close monitoring of the patient for any signs of complications, such as bleeding or infection. The patient may require intensive care initially, especially if cardiopulmonary bypass was utilized. Pain management is also an important aspect of post-operative care. The surgical site will be monitored for proper healing, and follow-up imaging may be necessary to assess the success of the graft. Patients are typically advised on activity restrictions and may undergo rehabilitation to aid recovery and restore normal function.
| Short Descr | RPR BLVSL VN GRF NTRTHRC W/B | Medium Descr | RPR BLOOD VESSEL VEIN GRAFT INTRATHORACIC W/BYP | Long Descr | Repair blood vessel with vein graft; intrathoracic, with bypass | 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 | Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other | MUE | 2 | 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) |
| 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). | 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. | 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) | 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 |
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| 2025-01-01 | Changed | Short Description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |