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Official Description

Selective catheter placement, venous system; second order, or more selective, branch (eg, left adrenal vein, petrosal sinus)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A selective catheter placement procedure within the venous system involves the precise insertion of a catheter into a specific vein to facilitate further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. This procedure is typically performed through common access points such as the brachial or cephalic veins. Initially, a small incision is made at the chosen puncture site, allowing for the placement of an introducer sheath into the vein. Following this, a guidewire is carefully advanced through the access vein and into the superior vena cava, which is a large vein that carries blood from the upper body to the heart. The catheter is then navigated into a venous branch that extends from the superior vena cava, such as the jugular vein, or it may be directed through the right atrium into the inferior vena cava, subsequently reaching branches like the hepatic or renal vein. The procedure can involve positioning the catheter in a first-order branch, which refers to veins that drain directly into the vena cava, or advancing it into a second-order or more selective branch. Examples of these more selective branches include the left adrenal vein or the petrosal sinus. During the procedure, the injection of medication or radiopaque contrast material may be performed as necessary to enhance imaging or facilitate treatment. It is important to note that CPT® Code 36012 is specifically designated for selective catheter placement in a second-order or more selective vein branch, while CPT® Code 36011 is used for first-order vein branches.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The selective catheter placement procedure is indicated for various clinical scenarios where access to specific venous branches is required for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Adrenal Disorders Accessing the left adrenal vein for evaluation or treatment of adrenal tumors or hyperplasia.
  • Intracranial Venous Conditions Catheterization of the petrosal sinus for the assessment of conditions such as Cushing's disease or other disorders involving the pituitary gland.
  • Hepatic or Renal Evaluation Accessing the hepatic or renal veins for diagnostic imaging or interventions related to liver or kidney diseases.

2. Procedure

The selective catheter placement procedure involves several critical steps to ensure accurate access to the desired venous branch. The following procedural steps outline the process:

  • Step 1: Access Site Preparation The procedure begins with the identification and preparation of the access site, typically the brachial or cephalic vein. The area is cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Step 2: Incision and Introducer Sheath Placement A small incision is made over the planned puncture site, allowing for the insertion of an introducer sheath into the vein. This sheath serves as a conduit for the catheter and guidewire.
  • Step 3: Guidewire Advancement A guidewire is then advanced through the introducer sheath and into the access vein, progressing towards the superior vena cava. This step is crucial for navigating the catheter into the appropriate venous branches.
  • Step 4: Catheter Navigation Once the guidewire is in place, the catheter is carefully advanced over the guidewire into the desired venous branch. This may involve navigating through the jugular vein or advancing through the right atrium into the inferior vena cava.
  • Step 5: Catheter Positioning The catheter may be positioned in a first-order branch, which drains directly into the vena cava, or advanced into a second-order or more selective branch, such as the left adrenal vein or petrosal sinus.
  • Step 6: Injection of Contrast or Medication As needed, the physician may inject medication or radiopaque contrast material through the catheter to facilitate imaging or treatment, ensuring that the targeted area is adequately visualized.

3. Post-Procedure

After the selective catheter placement procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or infection at the access site. The catheter may remain in place for further diagnostic imaging or therapeutic interventions as required. Patients are advised on post-procedure care, which may include instructions on activity restrictions and signs of potential complications to watch for. Follow-up imaging may be necessary to assess the effectiveness of the procedure and the condition being treated.

Short Descr PLACE CATHETER IN VEIN
Medium Descr SLCTV CATH PLMT VEN SYS 2ND ORDER/> SLCTV BRANC
Long Descr Selective catheter placement, venous system; second order, or more selective, branch (eg, left adrenal vein, petrosal sinus)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
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) 1 - Statutory payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other
MUE 4
CCS Clinical Classification 54 - Other vascular catheterization, not heart

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

37252 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; initial noncoronary vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
37253 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Intravascular ultrasound (noncoronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention, including radiological supervision and interpretation; each additional noncoronary vessel (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).
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.
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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).
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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.
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.
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).
AG Primary physician
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
ET Emergency services
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
Date
Action
Notes
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
1992-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1992.
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