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Official Description

Angiography, selective, each additional vessel studied after basic examination, radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Selective angiography is a diagnostic imaging procedure that employs a radiopaque contrast medium and fluoroscopy to visualize blood vessels located distal to the aorta. This technique is essential for assessing vascular conditions and identifying potential pathologies. The procedure begins with the insertion of a large bore needle into a blood vessel, typically in the groin area. A guidewire is then introduced through the needle, allowing for the advancement of a catheter over the guidewire into the abdominal aorta, guided by X-ray imaging. Once the catheter is positioned near the area of interest, radiopaque contrast material is injected to perform the basic examination of the vessels. In cases where the initial imaging does not provide adequate visualization due to factors such as occlusive disease, anatomical variations, or other complications, additional selective catheterization and angiography may be required. This involves advancing the catheter beyond the initial examination site and injecting contrast material to visualize additional vessels. The CPT® Code 75774 specifically reports the radiological supervision and interpretation of each additional vessel studied following the basic angiography procedure, ensuring that the findings are documented in a written report. It is important to note that this code is used in conjunction with the code for the primary angiography procedure, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the evaluation performed.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Selective angiography is performed for various clinical indications, particularly when there is a need to investigate vascular conditions that may not be adequately visualized during a basic examination. The following are specific indications for this procedure:

  • Occlusive Disease The presence of blockages in the blood vessels that may impede blood flow, necessitating further investigation to determine the extent and location of the occlusion.
  • Anatomical Variances Unusual anatomical structures or variations that may complicate the interpretation of standard angiographic images, requiring additional imaging to clarify the vascular anatomy.
  • Poor Visualization Situations where initial imaging does not provide clear or sufficient views of the vessels, prompting the need for additional selective catheterization to enhance visualization.

2. Procedure

The procedure for selective angiography involves several critical steps to ensure accurate imaging and diagnosis. Each step is essential for the successful completion of the angiographic study:

  • Step 1: Insertion of the Needle A large bore needle is carefully inserted into a blood vessel, typically located in the groin area. This initial step is crucial for accessing the vascular system and allows for the subsequent introduction of a guidewire.
  • Step 2: Introduction of the Guidewire Once the needle is in place, a guidewire is introduced through the needle. This guidewire serves as a pathway for the catheter, ensuring that it can be navigated accurately into the vascular system.
  • Step 3: Advancement of the Catheter The catheter is advanced over the guidewire into the abdominal aorta, utilizing X-ray guidance to ensure proper placement. This step is vital for positioning the catheter at the site of suspected pathology.
  • Step 4: Injection of Contrast Material After the catheter is positioned, radiopaque contrast material is injected to visualize the vessels during the basic examination. This contrast enhances the visibility of the vascular structures on the imaging screen.
  • Step 5: Additional Catheterization and Angiography If the initial examination reveals poor visualization or if there are indications of occlusive disease or anatomical variances, additional selective catheterization may be performed. The catheter is advanced beyond the area of the basic exam, and further contrast is injected to visualize additional vessels as needed.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the selective angiography procedure, several post-procedure care considerations are important for patient safety and recovery. Patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or hematoma at the catheter insertion site. It is essential to assess the patient's vital signs and ensure that they are stable before discharge. Additionally, patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities for a specified period to allow for proper healing. A written report detailing the findings from the angiography, including any additional vessels studied, is generated and should be reviewed by the referring physician for further management of the patient's condition.

Short Descr ARTERY X-RAY EACH VESSEL
Medium Descr ANGRPH SLCTV EA VSL STUDIED AFTER BASIC XM RS&I
Long Descr Angiography, selective, each additional vessel studied after basic examination, radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No 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) 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 Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 4 - Diagnostic Radiology
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I4B - Imaging/procedure - other
MUE 7
CCS Clinical Classification 191 - Arterio- or venogram (not heart and head)

This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary 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)
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.
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.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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.
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
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
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
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).
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).
56 Preoperative management only: when 1 physician or other qualified health care professional performed the preoperative care and evaluation and another performed the surgical procedure, the preoperative component may be identified by adding modifier 56 to the usual procedure number.
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.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
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.)
AO Alternate payment method declined by provider of service
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
MH Unknown if ordering professional consulted a clinical decision support mechanism for this service, related information was not provided to the furnishing professional or provider
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
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2017-01-01 Changed Guidelines changed.
2013-01-01 Changed Guideline information changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed. Guideline information changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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