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Cardiac blood pool imaging, specifically identified by CPT® Code 78481, is a diagnostic procedure utilized to assess the efficiency of the heart muscle in pumping blood throughout the body. This imaging technique involves the use of a radionuclide, commonly referred to as a tracer, which is injected into the patient's bloodstream via an intravenous line placed in a vein, typically in the hand or arm. The procedure begins with the placement of electrocardiogram (ECG) leads on the patient's chest to monitor heart activity, along with a blood pressure cuff on the arm to track hemodynamic responses. The patient is positioned flat on a table in a controlled environment for the imaging process. During the procedure, cardiac blood pool imaging can be performed either at rest or under stress conditions, which may involve physical exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike, or through the administration of a pharmacologic agent designed to simulate the effects of exercise on the heart. The primary goal of this imaging is to capture planar films of the heart and major blood vessels, allowing the physician to evaluate the motion of the heart walls. This assessment is crucial for determining the heart's pumping effectiveness and overall function. A key component of this procedure is the measurement of the ejection fraction, which quantifies the percentage of blood that is expelled from the heart with each contraction. The first pass technique is employed to obtain images during the initial circulation of the radionuclide through the heart, providing immediate insights into cardiac performance. Following the imaging, the physician analyzes the captured images, calculates the ejection fraction, and may also quantify additional parameters related to heart function based on the distribution of the radionuclide. The findings are then compiled into a comprehensive written report for further evaluation and clinical decision-making.
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The cardiac blood pool imaging procedure, as described by CPT® Code 78481, is indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of cardiac function is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this imaging technique:
The cardiac blood pool imaging procedure involves several critical steps to ensure accurate assessment of cardiac function. The following procedural steps are performed:
Post-procedure care for patients undergoing cardiac blood pool imaging typically involves monitoring for any immediate reactions to the radionuclide injection. Patients are generally advised to hydrate adequately to facilitate the elimination of the tracer from their system. There are usually no significant restrictions following the procedure, and patients can typically resume normal activities unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider. The physician will review the findings from the imaging study and discuss any necessary follow-up or further diagnostic steps based on the results.
| Short Descr | HEART FIRST PASS SINGLE | Medium Descr | CARD BL POOL PLANAR 1 STDY WAL MOTN EJECT FRACT | Long Descr | Cardiac blood pool imaging (planar), first pass technique; single study, at rest or with stress (exercise and/or pharmacologic), wall motion study plus ejection fraction, with or without quantification | 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) | 6 - Special payment adjustment rules on the technical component (TC) of multiple diagnostic cardiovascular services 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 | 209 - Radioisotope scan and function studies |
| 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 | 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. | 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). | 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 |
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| 2011-01-01 | Changed | Short description changed. |
| 2008-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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