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Official Description

Selective catheter placement, common carotid or innominate artery, unilateral, any approach, with angiography of the ipsilateral extracranial carotid circulation and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, includes angiography of the cervicocerebral arch, when performed

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 36222 refers to a specific medical procedure known as selective catheter placement in the common carotid or innominate artery. This procedure is performed unilaterally, meaning it is conducted on one side of the body, and can be approached through various methods, including percutaneous access via the femoral, axillary, brachial, or radial arteries. The primary goal of this procedure is to facilitate angiography of the ipsilateral extracranial carotid circulation, which involves imaging the blood vessels supplying the head and neck on the same side as the catheter placement. Additionally, this code encompasses all associated radiological supervision and interpretation necessary for the procedure, ensuring that the imaging is accurately conducted and analyzed. When performed, the procedure may also include angiography of the cervicocerebral arch, which is the area where the carotid arteries branch off to supply blood to the brain. This comprehensive approach allows for detailed visualization of the vascular structures, aiding in the diagnosis and management of various vascular conditions.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The selective catheter placement procedure described by CPT® Code 36222 is indicated for various clinical scenarios where detailed imaging of the carotid arteries is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Assessment of Carotid Artery Disease This procedure is often performed to evaluate the presence of stenosis or occlusion in the carotid arteries, which can lead to cerebrovascular accidents (strokes).
  • Preoperative Planning It may be indicated for surgical planning in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy or stenting, providing essential information about the vascular anatomy.
  • Investigation of Symptoms Patients presenting with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or unexplained neurological symptoms may require this procedure to identify potential vascular causes.
  • Follow-Up Imaging This procedure can also be indicated for follow-up evaluations in patients with a history of carotid artery interventions or those with known vascular abnormalities.

2. Procedure

The procedure for selective catheter placement as described by CPT® Code 36222 involves several critical steps to ensure accurate placement and imaging. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Access Site Preparation The procedure typically begins with the selection of an appropriate access site, commonly the femoral artery. A small skin incision is made at the chosen site to facilitate the introduction of the catheter.
  • Step 2: Introducer Sheath Placement An introducer sheath is then placed into the artery to provide a pathway for the guidewire and catheter. This sheath helps maintain access to the vascular system during the procedure.
  • Step 3: Guidewire Insertion A guidewire is inserted through the introducer sheath and navigated through the femoral and iliac arteries into the aorta. Under continuous fluoroscopic guidance, the guidewire is advanced into the aortic arch, positioning it beyond the left common carotid artery or right innominate artery.
  • Step 4: Catheter Advancement A catheter is then advanced over the guidewire into the aortic arch and positioned at the left common carotid or right innominate artery. The guidewire is retracted, and the catheter is maneuvered into the desired position within the carotid artery.
  • Step 5: Contrast Injection and Imaging Once the catheter is correctly positioned, radiopaque contrast media is injected to visualize the arterial structures. Angiography of the ipsilateral extracranial carotid circulation is performed, which may include imaging of the external carotid artery and cervicocerebral arch, if applicable.
  • Step 6: Completion of Procedure After the imaging is completed, the catheter is removed, and hemostasis is achieved at the arteriotomy site through manual pressure or other closure techniques. A written interpretation of the findings is then provided for further evaluation.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the selective catheter placement procedure, patients are typically monitored for any complications related to the access site or the procedure itself. Hemostasis must be confirmed, and patients may be advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a specified period. The results of the angiography are documented, and any significant findings are communicated to the referring physician for further management. Patients may also receive instructions regarding follow-up appointments and any necessary lifestyle modifications based on the findings of the procedure.

Short Descr PLACE CATH CAROTID/INOM ART
Medium Descr SLCTV CATH CAROTID/INNOM ART ANGIO XTRCRANL ART
Long Descr Selective catheter placement, common carotid or innominate artery, unilateral, any approach, with angiography of the ipsilateral extracranial carotid circulation and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, includes angiography of the cervicocerebral arch, when performed
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
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 T-Packaged Codes
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I4B - Imaging/procedure - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 54 - Other vascular catheterization, not heart

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

36227 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Selective catheter placement, external carotid artery, unilateral, with angiography of the ipsilateral external carotid circulation and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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)
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).
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.
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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).
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.
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).
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).
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2013-01-01 Added Added
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