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Official Description

Selective catheter placement, each intracranial branch of the internal carotid or vertebral arteries, unilateral, with angiography of the selected vessel circulation and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation (eg, middle cerebral artery, posterior inferior cerebellar artery) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Selective catheter placement refers to a specialized procedure where a catheter is inserted into specific branches of the internal carotid or vertebral arteries, which are major blood vessels supplying the brain. This procedure is particularly focused on the intracranial branches, such as the middle cerebral artery and the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, among others. The term "selective" indicates that the catheter is directed to a specific area of interest rather than being placed in a more general location. During this process, a guidewire is first advanced into the targeted artery, followed by the catheter. Once the catheter is in place, radiopaque contrast media is injected to enhance the visibility of the blood vessels during imaging. This allows for detailed angiography, which is the imaging of blood vessels, to assess the circulation within the selected artery. The procedure includes comprehensive radiological supervision and interpretation to ensure accurate results. After the angiography is completed, the catheter is removed, and a detailed report of the findings is generated. It is important to note that this code, CPT® 36228, is reported separately in addition to the code for the primary procedure performed, emphasizing its role in providing a thorough evaluation of the vascular structures in the brain.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The selective catheter placement procedure is indicated for various clinical scenarios where detailed visualization of the intracranial vascular structures is necessary. This may include:

  • Evaluation of Vascular Abnormalities Conditions such as aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, or other vascular lesions that require precise imaging for diagnosis and treatment planning.
  • Assessment of Ischemic Events Situations where there is a need to investigate potential causes of ischemic strokes or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) by examining blood flow in specific arteries.
  • Preoperative Planning Cases where surgical intervention is planned, necessitating detailed anatomical mapping of the vascular supply to the area of interest.

2. Procedure

The procedure for selective catheter placement involves several critical steps to ensure accurate access and imaging of the targeted arteries. These steps include:

  • Step 1: Accessing the Artery The procedure begins with the insertion of a catheter into a major artery, typically through the femoral artery in the groin. This access point allows the physician to navigate through the vascular system to reach the intracranial branches.
  • Step 2: Advancing the Catheter Once access is achieved, a guidewire is carefully advanced through the catheter into the desired intracranial branch, such as the middle cerebral artery or posterior inferior cerebellar artery. This step is crucial for ensuring that the catheter is positioned accurately within the targeted vessel.
  • Step 3: Injecting Contrast Media After the catheter is properly positioned, radiopaque contrast media is injected through the catheter. This contrast agent enhances the visibility of the blood vessels during imaging, allowing for detailed angiographic studies.
  • Step 4: Performing Angiography Angiography is then performed, capturing images of the selected vessel circulation. This imaging may include arterial, capillary, and venous phase imaging to provide a comprehensive view of blood flow and vascular anatomy.
  • Step 5: Completing the Procedure Upon completion of the angiography, the catheter is carefully removed. A written report detailing the findings of the procedure is generated, which is essential for further clinical decision-making.

3. Post-Procedure

After the selective catheter placement and angiography, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or vascular injury at the access site. Recovery may vary depending on the individual and the complexity of the procedure, but patients are generally advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a short period. Follow-up imaging or assessments may be scheduled to evaluate the findings and determine any necessary further interventions. The detailed report generated during the procedure will guide the healthcare team in making informed decisions regarding the patient's ongoing care and treatment options.

Short Descr PLACE CATH INTRACRANIAL ART
Medium Descr SLCTV CATH INTRCRNL BRNCH ANGIO INTRL CAROT/VERT
Long Descr Selective catheter placement, each intracranial branch of the internal carotid or vertebral arteries, unilateral, with angiography of the selected vessel circulation and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation (eg, middle cerebral artery, posterior inferior cerebellar artery) (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No 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) I4B - Imaging/procedure - other
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 54 - Other vascular catheterization, not heart

This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.

36223 MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC N1 Selective catheter placement, common carotid or innominate artery, unilateral, any approach, with angiography of the ipsilateral intracranial carotid circulation and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, includes angiography of the extracranial carotid and cervicocerebral arch, when performed
36224 MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC N1 Selective catheter placement, internal carotid artery, unilateral, with angiography of the ipsilateral intracranial carotid circulation and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, includes angiography of the extracranial carotid and cervicocerebral arch, when performed
36225 MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC N1 Selective catheter placement, subclavian or innominate artery, unilateral, with angiography of the ipsilateral vertebral circulation and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, includes angiography of the cervicocerebral arch, when performed
36226 MPFS Status: Active Code APC Q2 ASC N1 Selective catheter placement, vertebral artery, unilateral, with angiography of the ipsilateral vertebral circulation and all associated radiological supervision and interpretation, includes angiography of the cervicocerebral arch, when performed
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)
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)
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
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).
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.
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).
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
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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