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Official Description

Mechanical removal of pericatheter obstructive material (eg, fibrin sheath) from central venous device via separate venous access, radiologic supervision and interpretation

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 75901 involves the mechanical removal of obstructive material, such as a fibrin sheath, that has accumulated around a central venous device. This obstruction can lead to complications, including catheter failure, which may necessitate intervention. The procedure is performed through a separate venous access point, typically accessed via the femoral vein. During the procedure, a specialized instrument known as a loop snare is utilized. This instrument is carefully advanced to the site of obstruction under radiologic supervision, ensuring precise placement and guidance. The loop snare is designed to encircle the obstructive material tightly, allowing the provider to effectively strip away the fibrous build-up as it is pulled down along the length of the central venous catheter. This technique is crucial for restoring the functionality of the catheter and preventing further complications associated with obstruction.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 75901 is indicated for the removal of obstructive material that has formed around a central venous catheter. This obstruction can occur due to various factors, including the accumulation of thrombotic or fibrous material, which can impede the function of the catheter. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Obstructive Fibrin Sheath The presence of a fibrin sheath that restricts the flow through the central venous catheter.
  • Catheter Dysfunction Symptoms indicating catheter failure, such as inability to infuse or withdraw fluids effectively.
  • Thrombotic Accumulation The buildup of thrombotic material that compromises the patency of the catheter.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 75901 involves several critical steps to ensure the effective removal of obstructive material from the central venous catheter. The following procedural steps are outlined:

  • Step 1: Accessing the Venous System A separate venous access point is established, typically through the femoral vein. This access is crucial for introducing the loop snare instrument without disturbing the existing central venous catheter.
  • Step 2: Insertion of the Loop Snare Instrument The loop snare instrument is carefully inserted through the newly established venous access. The provider ensures that the instrument is advanced towards the central venous catheter, maintaining proper positioning under radiologic supervision.
  • Step 3: Encircling the Obstructive Material Once the loop snare reaches the site of obstruction, it is maneuvered to encircle the obstructive fibrous material tightly. This step is critical for ensuring that the material can be effectively removed.
  • Step 4: Mechanical Removal The provider then pulls the loop snare down along the length of the central venous catheter. This action strips away the periobstructive material that has accumulated around the catheter, effectively removing it from the site.
  • Step 5: Confirmation of Success After the removal of the obstructive material, the provider may perform additional imaging to confirm that the catheter is now patent and functioning properly.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the procedure, the patient may require monitoring to assess the functionality of the central venous catheter and to ensure that there are no immediate complications. The provider may also evaluate the access site for any signs of bleeding or infection. Depending on the patient's condition, further imaging may be performed to confirm the successful removal of the obstructive material and the patency of the catheter. Instructions for care at the access site and any necessary follow-up appointments should be provided to the patient to ensure proper recovery and monitoring.

Short Descr REMOVE CVA DEVICE OBSTRUCT
Medium Descr MECHANICAL RMVL PERICATHETER OBSTR MATRL RS&I
Long Descr Mechanical removal of pericatheter obstructive material (eg, fibrin sheath) from central venous device via separate venous access, radiologic supervision and interpretation
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
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) 6 - Therapeutic Radiology
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) I4B - Imaging/procedure - other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 226 - Other diagnostic radiology and related techniques

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)
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.
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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.)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
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
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2003-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2003.
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