© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Balloon dilatation of intracranial vasospasm, as described by CPT® Code 61640, is a specialized endovascular procedure aimed at alleviating vasospasm, which is the constriction of blood vessels due to the smooth muscle lining's contraction. This condition often arises following a subarachnoid hemorrhage, where blood leaks into the space surrounding the brain, leading to changes in the vessel's intima. These changes can result in narrowing and rigidity of the vessel wall, impeding blood flow and potentially causing serious complications. The procedure involves a series of carefully orchestrated steps, beginning with the preparation of the access site, followed by the insertion of a catheter into the affected blood vessel. Through this catheter, a balloon is introduced to the site of the vasospasm. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to dilate the narrowed artery, thereby restoring normal blood flow. This intervention is critical in managing the effects of vasospasm and preventing further neurological damage. The procedure is performed under fluoroscopic guidance to ensure precision and safety throughout the process.
© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.
Balloon dilatation of intracranial vasospasm is indicated for the treatment of vasospasm that may occur following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The following conditions are explicitly recognized as indications for this procedure:
The procedure for balloon dilatation of intracranial vasospasm involves several critical steps, each designed to ensure the safe and effective treatment of the affected blood vessel:
After the balloon dilatation procedure, careful monitoring is essential to assess for any immediate complications such as hyperacute thrombosis or rebound stenosis. Post-procedure angiograms are performed to evaluate the success of the intervention and to ensure that the arterial flow has been adequately restored. Patients may require additional interventions if complications are detected. Recovery protocols will vary based on individual patient conditions, but close observation is typically warranted to monitor neurological status and overall recovery following the procedure.
| Short Descr | DILATE IC VASOSPASM INIT | Medium Descr | BALLOON DILAT INTRACRANIAL VASOSPASM PRQ INITIAL | Long Descr | Balloon dilatation of intracranial vasospasm, percutaneous; initial vessel | Status Code | Non-Covered Service | Global Days | 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 9 - Not Applicable | Multiple Procedures (51) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Co-Surgeons (62) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Team Surgery (66) | 9 - Concept does not apply. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | Non-Covered Service, not paid under OPPS | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | P1G - Major procedure - Other | MUE | 0 | CCS Clinical Classification | 59 - Other OR procedures on vessels of head and neck |
This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.
| 61641 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Non-covered Service APC E1 CPT Assistant Article Balloon dilatation of intracranial vasospasm, percutaneous; each additional vessel in same vascular territory (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 61642 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Non-covered Service APC E1 CPT Assistant Article Balloon dilatation of intracranial vasospasm, percutaneous; each additional vessel in different vascular territory (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) | 69990 | Addon Code MPFS Status: Restricted APC N ASC N1 PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article 1Microsurgical techniques, requiring use of operating microscope (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure) |
| 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. | 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.) | GY | Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit | 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) | 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 |
|
Date
|
Action
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2006-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 2006. |
Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.