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Official Description

Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, femoral, popliteal artery(s), unilateral; with transluminal stent placement(s), includes angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 37226 involves the revascularization of a unilateral femoral or popliteal artery that has become occluded or narrowed due to stenosis. This is achieved through an endovascular approach, which can be either open or percutaneous. The primary goal of this procedure is to restore blood flow to the affected artery, thereby alleviating symptoms associated with reduced blood circulation. The physician employs techniques such as angioplasty, which involves the use of a balloon to expand the artery, and the placement of a transluminal stent to maintain the artery's patency. The procedure may also include the use of atherectomy, a technique that removes plaque from the arterial wall. The choice between an open or percutaneous approach depends on the specific clinical scenario and the physician's assessment. In both approaches, careful preparation and imaging guidance are utilized to ensure the accurate placement of devices and to monitor the success of the intervention. This comprehensive approach is essential for effectively treating conditions that compromise blood flow in the femoral and popliteal arteries.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 37226 is indicated for patients presenting with occlusion or significant stenosis of the femoral or popliteal artery. The following conditions may warrant this intervention:

  • Occluded Artery The presence of a complete blockage in the femoral or popliteal artery, which impedes blood flow.
  • Stenosis A narrowing of the artery that restricts blood flow, potentially leading to symptoms such as claudication or critical limb ischemia.
  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) A condition characterized by narrowed arteries reducing blood flow to the limbs, often resulting in pain and mobility issues.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 37226 involves several critical steps to ensure successful revascularization of the affected artery:

  • Access Preparation The physician begins by preparing the skin over the access artery, typically one of the femoral arteries. This area is cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection.
  • Artery Access For an open approach, the skin is incised to expose the artery, which is then nicked to facilitate access. In a percutaneous approach, a needle is used to puncture the artery, and a sheath is placed to allow for further instrumentation.
  • Guidewire Insertion Under radiological supervision, a guidewire is inserted through the sheath and advanced into the occluded femoral or popliteal artery. This guidewire serves as a pathway for subsequent devices.
  • Roadmapping Angiograms Angiograms are obtained to visualize the anatomy of the artery and the extent of the occlusion, guiding the physician in the next steps of the procedure.
  • Balloon Angioplasty A catheter with a balloon tip is advanced over the guidewire to the site of the occlusion. The balloon is inflated to compress the plaque against the arterial wall, which may be done multiple times to achieve optimal results.
  • Atherectomy (if performed) Alternatively, an atherectomy may be performed using a specialized catheter that shaves plaque from the arterial wall. The plaque is collected in the device and removed upon completion of the procedure.
  • Completion Angiography After angioplasty or atherectomy, the angioplasty device is exchanged for a guidewire, and an angiography catheter is advanced. Contrast is injected, and a completion angiography is performed to confirm that the artery is patent.
  • Stent Placement (if needed) If a stent is required to maintain the artery's patency, the stent delivery catheter is advanced to the lesion site, positioned, and deployed. A balloon catheter may be used again to ensure the stent is properly seated.
  • Closure After all catheters are removed, if an open approach was used, the access artery is repaired, and the skin incision is closed. In a percutaneous approach, pressure is applied to the vascular access site, followed by the application of a pressure dressing.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing the revascularization procedure coded by CPT® 37226 includes monitoring for complications such as bleeding or hematoma at the access site. Patients are typically advised to rest and may be instructed on activity restrictions to promote healing. Follow-up imaging may be necessary to assess the success of the procedure and ensure the artery remains patent. Additionally, patients may receive guidance on lifestyle modifications and medications to manage underlying conditions such as peripheral artery disease.

Short Descr FEM/POPL REVASC W/STENT
Medium Descr REVSC OPN/PRQ FEM/POP W/STNT/ANGIOP SM VSL
Long Descr Revascularization, endovascular, open or percutaneous, femoral, popliteal artery(s), unilateral; with transluminal stent placement(s), includes angioplasty within the same vessel, 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) 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 Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-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)
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)
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
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.
47 Anesthesia by surgeon: regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. (this does not include local anesthesia.) note: modifier 47 would not be used as a modifier for the anesthesia procedures.
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).
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.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
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).
81 Minimum assistant surgeon: minimum surgical assistant services are identified by adding modifier 81 to the usual procedure number.
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).
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
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
ET Emergency services
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
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
LD Left anterior descending coronary artery
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
TL Early intervention/individualized family service plan (ifsp)
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.
2011-01-01 Added Added
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