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Official Description

Superselective catheter placement (one or more second order or higher renal artery branches) renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including arterial puncture, catheterization, fluoroscopy, contrast injection(s), image postprocessing, permanent recording of images, and radiological supervision and interpretation, including pressure gradient measurements when performed, and flush aortogram when performed; bilateral

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Common Language Description

A superselective catheter placement involves the precise positioning of a catheter into one or more second order or higher branches of the renal arteries for the purpose of conducting renal angiography. This procedure is initiated by accessing an artery, typically the femoral artery located in the groin, through a small incision. An introducer sheath is inserted into the artery, followed by the placement of a guidewire that facilitates the advancement of the catheter. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the guidewire is navigated through the femoral and iliac arteries into the aorta, allowing the catheter to be advanced into the main renal artery. The physician then selectively maneuvers the catheter into higher order branches of the renal arteries, which may include second, third, or even higher order branches, depending on the specific areas that require evaluation. Once the catheter is positioned appropriately, the guidewire is removed, and radiopaque contrast media may be injected to enhance imaging. This procedure may also include pressure gradient measurements to assess any narrowing in the renal arteries that could impact blood flow to the kidneys. The entire process is documented through image acquisition, post-processing, and permanent recording, culminating in a comprehensive review and written report by the physician detailing the findings of the angiography. It is important to note that for a unilateral super-selective renal angiogram, the code 36253 should be used, while 36254 is designated for a bilateral study.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The superselective catheter placement for renal angiography is indicated for various clinical scenarios, including:

  • Evaluation of Renal Artery Stenosis This procedure is performed to assess for narrowing of the renal arteries, which can lead to hypertension and renal impairment.
  • Investigation of Renal Masses It is utilized to evaluate renal masses or tumors, providing detailed vascular information that can assist in diagnosis and treatment planning.
  • Assessment of Renal Blood Flow The procedure helps in measuring blood flow dynamics within the renal arteries, which is crucial for understanding renal function.
  • Preoperative Planning Superselective catheter placement may be indicated prior to surgical interventions to provide detailed anatomical information about the renal vasculature.

2. Procedure

The procedure for superselective catheter placement involves several critical steps:

  • Accessing the Femoral Artery The procedure begins with the patient positioned appropriately, and a small incision is made over the femoral artery in the groin. An introducer sheath is then placed into the artery to facilitate catheter insertion.
  • Guidewire Insertion A guidewire is introduced through the introducer sheath and advanced through the femoral artery, iliac arteries, and into the aorta. This step is performed under fluoroscopic guidance to ensure accurate placement.
  • Catheter Advancement Once the guidewire is in place, a catheter is advanced over the guidewire into the aorta. The physician then carefully maneuvers the catheter into the main renal artery, and subsequently into higher order branches as needed for evaluation.
  • Contrast Injection After the catheter is positioned in the desired branch, radiopaque contrast media is injected to enhance imaging of the renal arteries. This step is crucial for visualizing any abnormalities.
  • Pressure Gradient Measurement If indicated, pressure gradient measurements may be obtained to assess the impact of any observed stenosis on renal blood flow.
  • Image Acquisition and Reporting The physician captures images during the procedure, which are then processed and recorded permanently. A comprehensive review of the images is conducted, leading to the generation of a written report detailing the findings of the angiography.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any complications related to the catheter placement, such as bleeding or infection at the access site. Patients are typically advised to rest and may be required to limit physical activity for a short period following the procedure. The physician will review the findings from the angiography and discuss any necessary follow-up actions or treatments based on the results. Additionally, patients may be instructed on signs and symptoms to watch for that could indicate complications, ensuring prompt medical attention if needed.

Short Descr INS CATH REN ART 2ND+ BILAT
Medium Descr SUPSLCTV CATH 2ND+ORD RENAL&ACCESSORY ARTERY/S&I
Long Descr Superselective catheter placement (one or more second order or higher renal artery branches) renal artery and any accessory renal artery(s) for renal angiography, including arterial puncture, catheterization, fluoroscopy, contrast injection(s), image postprocessing, permanent recording of images, and radiological supervision and interpretation, including pressure gradient measurements when performed, and flush aortogram when performed; bilateral
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) 2 - 150% payment adjustment does NOT apply.
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) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-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.

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)
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.
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).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
KX Requirements specified in the medical policy have been met
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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
Date
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Notes
2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2013-01-01 Changed Medium Descriptor changed.
2012-01-01 Added Added
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