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Official Description

Transcatheter placement of intravascular stent(s), intrathoracic common carotid artery or innominate artery by retrograde treatment, open ipsilateral cervical carotid artery exposure, including angioplasty, when performed, and radiological supervision and interpretation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 37217 refers to the transcatheter placement of intravascular stent(s) specifically in the intrathoracic common carotid artery or the innominate artery. This procedure is performed using a retrograde approach, which involves accessing the artery from the same side (ipsilateral) through an incision in the cervical region. The procedure includes the exposure of the cervical carotid artery, allowing for the insertion of an introducer sheath. Following this, a guidewire is introduced and advanced retrograde into the targeted artery. The use of angioplasty may be incorporated into the procedure to dilate any stenosed areas before the stent is placed. Radiological supervision and interpretation are integral components of this procedure, ensuring accurate placement and assessment of the stent. The overall goal of this intervention is to restore proper blood flow through the affected arteries, addressing conditions such as stenosis that may impede circulation. The procedure is comprehensive, involving multiple steps to ensure the successful deployment of the stent and the subsequent closure of the surgical site.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The transcatheter placement of intravascular stent(s) in the intrathoracic common carotid artery or innominate artery is indicated for the treatment of conditions that result in significant arterial stenosis or blockage. These conditions may include:

  • Arterial Stenosis - A narrowing of the artery that can restrict blood flow, often due to atherosclerosis or plaque buildup.
  • Innominate Artery Occlusion - Blockage of the innominate artery, which can lead to compromised blood flow to the brain and upper body.
  • Common Carotid Artery Disease - Disease affecting the common carotid artery that may increase the risk of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).

2. Procedure

The procedure for the transcatheter placement of intravascular stent(s) involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Exposure of the Cervical Carotid Artery - A small skin incision is made to expose the ipsilateral cervical carotid artery. This access point is crucial for the subsequent steps of the procedure.
  • Step 2: Insertion of the Introducer Sheath - An introducer sheath is inserted into the exposed artery, allowing for the introduction of other devices needed for the procedure.
  • Step 3: Guidewire Advancement - A guidewire is introduced through the sheath and advanced retrograde into the intrathoracic common carotid artery or innominate artery, facilitating the navigation of the catheter.
  • Step 4: Catheter Advancement - A catheter is advanced over the guidewire to reach the site of stenosis. This step is essential for delivering the necessary tools for treatment.
  • Step 5: Roadmapping Angiography - Roadmapping angiography is performed to visualize the artery and measure the area of stenosis, ensuring accurate placement of the stent.
  • Step 6: Stiff Wire Advancement - A stiff wire is advanced to the site of the stenosis, providing support for the subsequent steps.
  • Step 7: Guiding Sheath Advancement - A guiding sheath is advanced over the catheter and stiff wire to the stenosed portion of the artery, preparing for angioplasty and stent placement.
  • Step 8: Angioplasty (if performed) - A balloon catheter is advanced to the lesion site and inflated to dilate the stenosed area, improving blood flow before stent placement.
  • Step 9: Stent Delivery - The stent delivery catheter is advanced to the lesion site, carefully positioned, and deployed to ensure proper placement of the stent within the artery.
  • Step 10: Balloon Inflation - A balloon catheter may be advanced and inflated again to seat the stent securely in place, ensuring it remains open.
  • Step 11: Final Angiograms - Additional angiograms are obtained to evaluate the placement of the stent and the patency of the artery, confirming the success of the procedure.
  • Step 12: Removal of Catheters - All catheters are removed from the artery, completing the intervention.
  • Step 13: Wound Closure - The cervical carotid artery is repaired, and the operative wound in the neck is closed in layers to promote healing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care involves monitoring the patient for any complications, such as bleeding or infection at the incision site. Patients may be advised on activity restrictions and follow-up appointments to assess the stent's effectiveness and the overall health of the carotid arteries. It is essential to ensure that the patient understands the signs of potential complications, such as changes in neurological status, which may indicate issues with blood flow. Regular imaging studies may be scheduled to evaluate the patency of the stent and the condition of the arteries over time.

Short Descr STENT PLACEMT RETRO CAROTID
Medium Descr TCATH STENT PLACEMT RETROGRAD CAROTID/INNOMINATE
Long Descr Transcatheter placement of intravascular stent(s), intrathoracic common carotid artery or innominate artery by retrograde treatment, open ipsilateral cervical carotid artery exposure, including angioplasty, when performed, and radiological supervision and interpretation
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2B - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Aneurysm repair
MUE 1
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).
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.
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.
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
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
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 Guideline Changed.
2015-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2014-01-01 Added Added
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