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Transcatheter therapy for thrombolysis, as described by CPT® Code 37213, involves the infusion of thrombolytic agents through a catheter into an arterial or venous vessel that is not a coronary vessel. This procedure is typically initiated on a specific day, which is reported separately, and may continue for one or more subsequent days as necessary to achieve complete thrombolysis. The primary goal of this therapy is to dissolve blood clots (thrombi) that obstruct blood flow, thereby restoring circulation. During the continued treatment phase, follow-up diagnostic angiography is performed using contrast material to assess the effectiveness of the thrombolytic therapy. If the catheter's position needs adjustment to optimize the infusion site, a guidewire is utilized to facilitate this process. The existing catheter can either be repositioned or replaced with a new catheter to ensure that the thrombolytic agent is delivered effectively to the thrombus site. The infusion continues until the desired therapeutic outcome is reached, which is characterized by the complete lysis of the thrombus and restoration of normal blood flow. Once the treatment is concluded, the thrombolytic catheter is removed, and appropriate measures are taken to ensure vessel closure, which may involve the use of a closure device or manual compression to achieve hemostasis. This code specifically captures the ongoing management of thrombolytic therapy beyond the initial treatment day.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
The procedure described by CPT® Code 37213 is indicated for the treatment of thrombi that obstruct blood flow in arterial or venous vessels other than coronary vessels. The following conditions may warrant the use of this procedure:
The procedure for continued transcatheter therapy for thrombolysis involves several critical steps, as outlined below:
After the completion of the transcatheter thrombolytic therapy, patients may require monitoring for any potential complications, such as bleeding or re-thrombosis. The recovery process typically involves observation of the access site for signs of hematoma or infection. Patients may also need follow-up imaging studies to confirm the success of the thrombolysis and to assess the patency of the treated vessel. It is essential to provide appropriate post-procedure care, including instructions for activity restrictions and signs of complications that should prompt immediate medical attention. The use of anticoagulants may be considered to prevent future thrombotic events, depending on the clinical scenario.
| Short Descr | THROMBLYTIC ART/VEN THERAPY | Medium Descr | THROMBOLYSIS ART/VENOUS INFSN W/IMAGE SUBSQ TX | Long Descr | Transcatheter therapy, arterial or venous infusion for thrombolysis other than coronary, any method, including radiological supervision and interpretation, continued treatment on subsequent day during course of thrombolytic therapy, including follow-up catheter contrast injection, position change, or exchange, 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) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures 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 | Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC | 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) |
| 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). | 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.) | 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 | 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 | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | 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. |
| 2014-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 2013-01-01 | Added | Added |
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