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Official Description

Transcatheter therapy, venous infusion for thrombolysis, any method, including radiological supervision and interpretation, initial treatment day

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Transcatheter therapy with venous infusion for thrombolysis involves the administration of a thrombolytic agent through a catheter to dissolve blood clots in veins, specifically targeting vessels that are not coronary or intracranial. This procedure is typically indicated for conditions such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where clots obstruct blood flow in the deep veins of the legs. The process begins with the puncture of the skin over the access artery, commonly the common femoral artery, although other access points such as the axillary or distal brachial arteries may also be utilized. Once access is achieved, a guidewire is inserted through the needle into the vessel, allowing for the advancement of an infusion catheter to the site of the clot. The catheter is then positioned securely across the thrombosis, enabling the infusion of the thrombolytic agent, which is administered over a period of time, often several hours, to effectively break down the clot and restore normal blood flow. This procedure is performed under radiological supervision, which includes imaging techniques such as venography or arteriography to monitor the effectiveness of the therapy and to assist in any necessary catheter repositioning or exchanges. It is important to note that this code is applicable for the initial treatment day only, and subsequent treatments may require additional coding considerations.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Transcatheter therapy, venous infusion for thrombolysis is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - This condition involves the formation of blood clots in the deep veins, typically in the legs, which can lead to complications such as swelling, pain, and potential pulmonary embolism if the clot dislodges.

2. Procedure

The procedure for transcatheter therapy, venous infusion for thrombolysis involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Access Site Preparation - The procedure begins with the preparation of the access site, which is usually the common femoral artery. The skin is cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Step 2: Puncture and Guidewire Insertion - A needle is used to puncture the skin over the access artery, allowing for the insertion of a guidewire. This guidewire is carefully threaded through the needle into the access vessel, guiding it towards the site of the obstructing blood clot.
  • Step 3: Catheter Advancement - An infusion catheter is then advanced over the guidewire to the target site where the clot is located. Once the catheter is in position, the guidewire is removed, leaving the catheter in place.
  • Step 4: Catheter Securing and Infusion - The catheter is secured across the area of thrombosis to ensure stability during the infusion process. The thrombolytic agent is then infused through the catheter, typically over several hours, to effectively dissolve the clot and restore normal blood flow.
  • Step 5: Radiological Supervision - Throughout the procedure, radiological imaging is utilized to monitor the placement of the catheter and the effectiveness of the thrombolytic therapy. This may include venography or arteriography to visualize the blood vessels and assess the clot.

3. Post-Procedure

After the procedure, patients are monitored for any complications and to assess the effectiveness of the thrombolytic therapy. Recovery may involve observation for signs of bleeding or other adverse effects related to the procedure. Depending on the patient's condition and the extent of the thrombolysis, additional treatments may be necessary, and follow-up imaging may be performed to evaluate the success of the therapy. It is important for healthcare providers to provide appropriate post-procedure care instructions and to schedule any necessary follow-up appointments to ensure optimal recovery and management of the underlying condition.

Short Descr THROMBOLYTIC VENOUS THERAPY
Medium Descr THROMBOLYSIS VENOUS INFUSION W/IMAGING INIT TX
Long Descr Transcatheter therapy, venous infusion for thrombolysis, any method, including radiological supervision and interpretation, initial treatment day
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) 0 - 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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Non office-based surgical procedure added in CY 2008 or later; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P1G - Major procedure - Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 61 - Other OR procedures on vessels other than head and neck

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)
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.
26 Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number.
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).
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.
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.
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.)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
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
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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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