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Official Description

Bypass graft, with vein; axillary-brachial

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

An axillary-brachial bypass graft is a surgical procedure designed to create a new pathway for blood flow around a diseased or obstructed segment of the axillary and brachial arteries, which are located on the same side of the body. This procedure is typically indicated when there is significant blockage that impairs blood circulation, potentially leading to complications such as ischemia or limb loss. The surgery involves making incisions in the chest and arm to access the affected arteries. A vein, often harvested from the leg, is used as a graft to bypass the obstructed area. The procedure requires careful dissection of soft tissues to expose the arteries, creating a tunnel for the graft, and ensuring that the graft is securely attached to both the axillary and brachial arteries. The use of vascular clamps during the procedure helps to control blood flow, allowing for a safer and more effective grafting process. Post-surgery, the success of the graft is monitored through Doppler ultrasound to assess blood flow and ensure that the bypass is functioning properly.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The axillary-brachial bypass graft procedure is indicated for patients experiencing significant arterial obstruction or disease affecting the axillary and brachial arteries. This may include conditions such as:

  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) - A condition characterized by narrowed arteries reducing blood flow to the limbs.
  • Ischemic Limb Pain - Pain in the limbs due to inadequate blood supply, often worsening with activity.
  • Critical Limb Ischemia - Severe obstruction of blood flow, leading to pain at rest and potential tissue loss.
  • Trauma - Injury to the axillary or brachial arteries that compromises blood flow.

2. Procedure

The axillary-brachial bypass graft procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful grafting and restoration of blood flow. Each step is meticulously performed to minimize complications and optimize outcomes.

  • Step 1: Incision and Exposure - A skin incision is made in the chest, just below the clavicle, to access the proximal axillary artery. Soft tissue is carefully dissected to expose the artery, allowing for direct surgical intervention.
  • Step 2: Second Incision - A second incision is made in the arm, typically just above the elbow, to access the brachial artery. Similar to the first step, soft tissue is dissected to expose the artery for grafting.
  • Step 3: Creating the Tunnel - A tunnel is created that connects the exposed axillary artery to the exposed brachial artery. This tunnel serves as the pathway for the vein graft, facilitating the bypass of the obstructed segment.
  • Step 4: Harvesting the Vein Graft - A vein graft, often the saphenous vein, is harvested from the leg. An incision is made over the section of the saphenous vein to be used, and soft tissue is dissected away. The vein's branches are ligated and divided, and the section of vein to be used is ligated proximally and distally, then removed from the leg.
  • Step 5: Grafting Procedure - Vascular clamps are applied to the axillary artery, and an incision is made in the artery. The harvested vein graft is then sutured to the axillary artery. The graft is passed through the previously created tunnel to reach the brachial artery.
  • Step 6: Final Connection - The brachial artery is clamped and incised, and the other end of the vein graft is sutured to the brachial artery. Once the graft is securely in place, the vascular clamps are removed, allowing blood flow to resume through the newly created bypass.
  • Step 7: Verification of Blood Flow - After the graft is completed, blood flow through the graft is checked using Doppler ultrasound. Additionally, distal pulses are evaluated to ensure the patency of the bypass graft and confirm that blood circulation is restored effectively.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing an axillary-brachial bypass graft includes monitoring for any signs of complications, such as infection or graft failure. Patients are typically observed for adequate blood flow to the extremities, and Doppler assessments may be performed to evaluate graft patency. Pain management and wound care are also essential components of post-operative care. Patients may be advised on activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and function of the graft. Rehabilitation may be necessary to restore strength and mobility in the affected limb.

Short Descr ART BYP GRFT AXILL-BRACHIAL
Medium Descr BYPASS W/VEIN AXILLARY-BRACHIAL
Long Descr Bypass graft, with vein; axillary-brachial
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) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 55 - Peripheral vascular bypass

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.
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.
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).
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 Short Descriptor changed.
2004-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2004.
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