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Official Description

Bypass graft, with other than vein; carotid-subclavian

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A carotid-subclavian bypass graft using other than vein is a surgical procedure designed to create an alternative pathway for blood flow around a diseased or obstructed segment of the carotid or subclavian artery. This procedure is particularly important in cases where there is significant arterial blockage that could lead to reduced blood supply to the brain or upper extremities. The surgery involves making an incision above the clavicle, known as a supraclavicular incision, which allows the surgeon to access the subclavian artery directly. During the operation, the scalene fat pad is carefully dissected, and the anterior scalene muscle is divided to facilitate access to the arteries. The surgeon then exposes the carotid artery and controls blood flow by placing rubber loops around the arteries at specific points. A synthetic graft, which is a tubular structure made from materials other than vein, is selected and prepared for implantation. The procedure requires precise suturing of the graft to both the subclavian and carotid arteries, ensuring that blood can flow through the newly created bypass. After the graft is in place, the surgeon checks for proper blood flow using Doppler ultrasound and evaluates distal pulses to confirm the success of the bypass graft.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The carotid-subclavian bypass graft procedure is indicated for patients who present with specific vascular conditions that necessitate the creation of an alternative blood flow pathway. These indications include:

  • Arterial Obstruction - Significant blockage in the carotid or subclavian artery that impairs blood flow.
  • Ischemic Symptoms - Symptoms such as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or strokes that may arise from inadequate blood supply to the brain.
  • Peripheral Vascular Disease - Conditions that affect blood circulation in the extremities, potentially leading to complications if not addressed.

2. Procedure

The carotid-subclavian bypass graft procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful graft placement and restoration of blood flow. The steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Incision - A supraclavicular incision is made above the clavicle to provide access to the subclavian artery. This incision allows the surgeon to visualize and manipulate the surrounding structures effectively.
  • Step 2: Dissection - The scalene fat pad is carefully dissected to expose the anterior scalene muscle, which is then divided to facilitate access to the subclavian artery. This step is crucial for gaining adequate exposure to the arteries involved in the bypass.
  • Step 3: Exposure of Carotid Artery - An incision is made over the carotid artery, allowing the surgeon to expose it fully. This step is essential for connecting the graft to the carotid artery.
  • Step 4: Control of Blood Flow - Rubber loops are placed proximal and distal to the planned arteriotomy sites on both the carotid and subclavian arteries. This maneuver helps control blood flow during the grafting process.
  • Step 5: Graft Preparation - An appropriately sized tubular synthetic graft is selected and prepared for implantation. The choice of graft material is critical for ensuring compatibility and durability.
  • Step 6: Clamping and Incision of Subclavian Artery - The subclavian artery is clamped to prevent blood flow, and an incision is made to facilitate the attachment of the graft.
  • Step 7: Suturing the Graft - The synthetic graft is sutured to the subclavian artery, ensuring a secure connection that will allow for proper blood flow through the graft.
  • Step 8: Placement of Graft on Carotid Artery - The carotid artery is either incised or a window is created to allow for the placement of the graft, which is then sutured to the artery.
  • Step 9: Removal of Vascular Clamps - After the graft is securely in place, the vascular clamps are removed, allowing blood to flow through the newly created bypass.
  • Step 10: Verification of Blood Flow - The surgeon checks blood flow through the graft using Doppler ultrasound and evaluates distal pulses to ensure the patency of the bypass graft.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing a carotid-subclavian bypass graft includes monitoring for any signs of complications, such as graft occlusion or infection. Patients are typically observed for changes in neurological status and vascular integrity. Follow-up imaging may be required to assess the patency of the graft and ensure that blood flow is adequate. Additionally, patients may need to adhere to a specific medication regimen to prevent thromboembolic events and manage any underlying vascular conditions. Recovery time can vary based on individual health factors and the extent of the procedure, but patients are generally advised to follow their surgeon's recommendations for activity levels and follow-up appointments.

Short Descr ART BYP CAROTID-SUBCLAVIAN
Medium Descr BYP OTH/THN VEIN CAROTID-SUBCLAVIAN
Long Descr Bypass graft, with other than vein; carotid-subclavian
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 1
CCS Clinical Classification 56 - Other vascular bypass and shunt, not heart
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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).
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.
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
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2013-01-01 Changed Short Descriptor changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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