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Official Description

Myocardial imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), perfusion study (including ventricular wall motion[s] and/or ejection fraction[s], when performed); multiple studies at rest and stress (exercise or pharmacologic)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

A myocardial imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), perfusion study is a sophisticated non-invasive imaging technique used to evaluate the heart's muscle perfusion and blood flow. This procedure is particularly significant as it provides detailed insights into the functioning of the heart, specifically the left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body. The ejection fraction, a critical measurement in this context, refers to the percentage of blood that is ejected from the left ventricle during each contraction, indicating the heart's efficiency and overall health. The study utilizes radioactive tracers, which are injected into the patient's bloodstream, allowing for the visualization of blood flow through the heart using advanced computer graphics to create three-dimensional images. During the procedure, patients are positioned on a moveable table within a specialized room equipped with a gamma ray detecting scanner. This scanner is essential for capturing the dynamic images of the heart as it functions. EKG leads are attached to monitor the heart's electrical activity, ensuring that the imaging is synchronized with the heart's rhythm. The process begins with a baseline scan, followed by the injection of the radioactive tracer, which highlights areas of the heart based on blood flow. Variations in tracer uptake can indicate issues such as narrowed coronary vessels, damaged tissue, or scar tissue, which are visually represented in the resulting images. Additionally, the study can be performed at rest and during stress, providing comprehensive data on the heart's performance under different conditions. Stress testing can be achieved through physical exercise or pharmacological agents that stimulate the heart, allowing for a thorough assessment of cardiac function. The combination of rest and stress imaging enhances the diagnostic capabilities of the PET-MPI study, making it a valuable tool in cardiology.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The myocardial imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), perfusion study is indicated for various clinical scenarios where assessment of heart muscle perfusion and function is necessary. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) - To evaluate blood flow to the heart muscle and identify areas of ischemia.
  • Heart Failure - To assess left ventricular function and ejection fraction, which are critical in managing heart failure patients.
  • Cardiac Symptoms - In patients presenting with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, to determine the underlying cause related to myocardial perfusion.
  • Preoperative Assessment - To evaluate cardiac risk in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, particularly in those with known heart disease or risk factors.
  • Monitoring Treatment Response - To assess the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in patients with known cardiac conditions.

2. Procedure

The procedure for a myocardial imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), perfusion study involves several critical steps to ensure accurate imaging and assessment of cardiac function. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation - The patient is prepared for the procedure by establishing an intravenous (IV) line for the administration of the radioactive tracer. EKG leads are placed on the patient to monitor heart activity throughout the study.
  • Step 2: Baseline Imaging - The patient is positioned on a moveable table that is situated within the PET scanner. A baseline scan is performed first, capturing images of the heart at rest as the table moves through the scanner.
  • Step 3: Injection of Radioactive Tracer - Following the baseline scan, the radioactive tracer is injected through the established IV line. This tracer will highlight areas of the heart based on blood flow and perfusion.
  • Step 4: Imaging Acquisition - The table moves through the scanner multiple times to obtain images of the heart from various angles, allowing for a comprehensive view of myocardial perfusion.
  • Step 5: Stress Testing (if applicable) - If a stress test is indicated, the patient may either exercise on a treadmill or bicycle or receive a pharmacological agent to stimulate the heart. EKG electrodes and a blood pressure cuff are connected to monitor the patient's response during this phase.
  • Step 6: Repeat Imaging - After achieving the target heart rate or blood pressure, a second baseline PET-MPI acquisition scan is performed following the injection of a second dose of the radioactive tracer. The table moves through the scanner again to capture images during the stress phase.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the myocardial imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), perfusion study, patients are typically monitored for a short period to ensure there are no immediate adverse reactions to the radioactive tracer or the stress testing. Patients may be advised to hydrate well to help flush the tracer from their system. The results of the imaging will be analyzed by a qualified physician, who will interpret the findings and discuss them with the patient in a follow-up appointment. It is important for patients to report any unusual symptoms or concerns during the recovery period. Additionally, the physician may provide specific instructions regarding activity levels and any necessary follow-up tests based on the results of the PET-MPI study.

Short Descr MYOCRD IMG PET MLT RST&STRS
Medium Descr MYOCRD IMG PET PRFUJ MULTIPLE STUDY REST&STRESS
Long Descr Myocardial imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), perfusion study (including ventricular wall motion[s] and/or ejection fraction[s], when performed); multiple studies at rest and stress (exercise or pharmacologic)
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 209 - Radioisotope scan and function studies

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

78434 Add-on Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N ASC N1 Absolute quantitation of myocardial blood flow (AQMBF), positron emission tomography (PET), rest and pharmacologic stress (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.
ME The order for this service adheres to appropriate use criteria in the clinical decision support mechanism consulted by the ordering 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
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.
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
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
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
QQ Ordering professional consulted a qualified clinical decision support mechanism for this service and the related data was provided to the furnishing professional
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
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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
X2 Continuous/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians whose expertise is needed for the ongoing management of a chronic disease or a condition that needs to be managed and followed with no planned endpoint to the relationship; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to: a rheumatologist taking care of the patient's rheumatoid arthritis longitudinally but not providing general primary care services
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
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).
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.
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.)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
JZ Zero drug amount discarded/not administered to any patient
MA Ordering professional is not required to consult a clinical decision support mechanism due to service being rendered to a patient with a suspected or confirmed emergency medical condition
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
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
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
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
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Notes
2020-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
1998-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 1998.
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