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Myocardial imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) is a specialized diagnostic procedure aimed at evaluating the metabolic function of the heart. This technique employs a radiolabeled isotope tracer, which is crucial for visualizing the heart's activity. During the PET scan, the heart is imaged in cross-sectional slices, allowing for detailed assessment of its metabolic function and viability. The intensity of the images produced reflects how well the myocardium is functioning metabolically. The radioisotopes utilized in this imaging process are short-lived, necessitating their production immediately before the procedure. These isotopes are typically tagged to natural compounds, such as glucose, which the heart uses as its primary energy source. This metabolic adaptation is essential for meeting the heart's energy demands. Preparation for the PET study generally involves the oral ingestion of glucose, followed by the administration of supplemental intravenous insulin. This preparation is designed to enhance the uptake of the isotope tracer, which is injected intravenously into the patient's circulatory system. Once the patient is positioned on the imaging table, with the gamma camera placed over the anterior chest, one or two intravenous lines are established for the tracer injection. Scanning occurs at predetermined intervals, during which the radioactive energy emitted by the positrons is captured and converted into images. The variations in the intensity of tracer accumulation within the heart tissue are then analyzed. Throughout the procedure, the patient's blood glucose levels are closely monitored to ensure they remain within a normal range, and to prevent any symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Finally, the physician interprets the results of the study and compiles a written report detailing the findings.
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The myocardial imaging procedure using positron emission tomography (PET) is indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of the heart's metabolic function is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this imaging study:
The procedure for myocardial imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) involves several critical steps to ensure accurate assessment of the heart's metabolic function. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the myocardial imaging procedure, the patient is typically monitored for any immediate post-procedural effects, particularly concerning their blood glucose levels. It is essential to ensure that the patient's glucose levels return to normal and that they do not exhibit any symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. The physician will review the images obtained during the scan and provide a detailed report of the findings, which may include insights into myocardial viability, ventricular wall motion, and ejection fraction. Depending on the results, further diagnostic or therapeutic interventions may be recommended. Patients are usually advised to resume normal activities unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider.
| Short Descr | MYOCRD IMG PET SINGLE STUDY | Medium Descr | MYOCRD IMG PET METAB EVAL SINGLE STUDY | Long Descr | Myocardial imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), metabolic evaluation study (including ventricular wall motion[s] and/or ejection fraction[s], when performed), single study; | Status Code | Carriers Price the 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 | Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple | ASC Payment Indicator | Radiology service paid separately when provided integral to a surgical procedure on ASC list; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I1E - Standard imaging - nuclear medicine | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 210 - Other radioisotope scan |
| 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. | MG | The order for this service does not have applicable appropriate use criteria in the qualified clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | 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. | GA | Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | GZ | Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary | MC | Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to the significant hardship exception of electronic health record or clinical decision support mechanism vendor issues | ME | The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | MF | The order for this service does not adhere to the appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering professional | 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 | PI | Positron emission tomography (pet) or pet/computed tomography (ct) to inform the initial treatment strategy of tumors that are biopsy proven or strongly suspected of being cancerous based on other diagnostic testing | Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional | 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 | 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 |
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| 2020-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1996-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1996. |
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