Coding Ahead
CasePilot
Medical Coding Assistant
Case2Code
Search and Code Lookup Tool
RedactPHI
HIPAA-Compliant PHI Redaction
DetectICD10CM
ICD-10-CM Code Detection
Log in Register free account
1 code page views remaining. Guest accounts are limited to 1 page view. Register free account to get 5 more views.
Log in Register free account

Official Description

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; single major coronary artery or branch

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 92920 refers to a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) performed on a single major coronary artery or its branch. This minimally invasive technique is utilized to treat coronary artery disease, which is characterized by the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of plaque. During the procedure, the physician accesses the coronary artery through the skin, typically using one of the femoral arteries. A needle punctures the artery, and a sheath is inserted to facilitate the introduction of a guidewire. This guidewire is carefully navigated through the aorta and into the affected coronary artery, allowing for the advancement of a catheter equipped with a balloon tip. Once positioned at the site of the blockage, the balloon is inflated, compressing the plaque against the arterial wall, which helps to restore blood flow. The inflation of the balloon may be repeated multiple times to achieve optimal results. Following the angioplasty, the catheter is withdrawn, and a contrast agent is injected to perform a completion angiography, ensuring that the treated artery remains open and patent. It is important to note that for procedures involving additional branches of a major coronary artery, CPT® Code 92921 should be reported in conjunction with 92920.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The indications for performing a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) using CPT® Code 92920 include the following:

  • Coronary Artery Disease The procedure is indicated for patients with significant narrowing or blockage of a major coronary artery or its branch due to atherosclerosis.
  • Angina Pectoris Patients experiencing chest pain or discomfort due to reduced blood flow to the heart may be candidates for this intervention.
  • Myocardial Ischemia The procedure is performed to alleviate symptoms associated with myocardial ischemia, where the heart muscle does not receive adequate blood supply.

2. Procedure

The procedural steps for performing a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) as described by CPT® Code 92920 are as follows:

  • Step 1: Preparation The patient is positioned appropriately, and the skin over the access artery, typically the femoral artery, is cleaned and prepped to maintain a sterile environment.
  • Step 2: Accessing the Artery A needle is used to puncture the selected artery, and a sheath is placed to facilitate the introduction of further instruments.
  • Step 3: Insertion of Guidewire A guidewire is inserted through the sheath and advanced through the aorta to reach the occluded coronary artery.
  • Step 4: Advancing the Catheter A catheter with a balloon tip is carefully advanced over the guidewire to the site of the blockage in the coronary artery.
  • Step 5: Balloon Inflation The balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated at the site of the occlusion, compressing the plaque against the arterial wall to widen the artery and restore blood flow.
  • Step 6: Completion Angiography After the balloon is deflated and the catheter is withdrawn, a contrast agent is injected to perform a completion angiography, ensuring that the treated artery is patent and blood flow is restored.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) includes monitoring the patient for any complications, such as bleeding or hematoma at the access site. Patients are typically advised to rest and may be required to stay in the hospital for observation. Follow-up care may involve additional imaging studies to assess the success of the procedure and ensure the artery remains open. Patients may also receive instructions regarding lifestyle modifications and medications to manage their cardiovascular health and prevent future blockages.

Short Descr PRQ CARDIAC ANGIOPLAST 1 ART
Medium Descr PRQ TRLUML CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY ONE ART/BRANCH
Long Descr Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; single major coronary artery or branch
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard 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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Device-intensive procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later; paid at adjusted rate.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2D - Major procedure, cardiovascualr-Coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
MUE 3
CCS Clinical Classification 45 - Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)

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

92921 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Bundled Code APC N ASC N1 Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; each additional branch of a major coronary artery (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
92972 Add On Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Percutaneous transluminal coronary lithotripsy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
92973 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy mechanical (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
92974 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Transcatheter placement of radiation delivery device for subsequent coronary intravascular brachytherapy (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
92978 Addon Code CPT Resequenced MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Endoluminal imaging of coronary vessel or graft using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical coherence tomography (OCT) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention including imaging supervision, interpretation and report; initial vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93571 Addon Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N ASC N1 CPT Assistant Article Intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress; initial vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
LD Left anterior descending coronary artery
RC Right coronary artery
LC Left circumflex coronary artery
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).
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
LM Left main coronary artery
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
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.
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.
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.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
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.
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.)
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.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AO Alternate payment method declined by provider of service
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
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
ET Emergency services
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
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
Q0 Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
RI Ramus intermedius coronary artery
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
Action
Notes
2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2013-01-01 Added Added
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
Code
Description
CasePilot

Get instant expert-level medical coding assistance.

Ask about:
CPT Codes Guidelines Modifiers Crosswalks NCCI Edits Compliance Medicare Coverage
Example: "What is CPT code 99213?" or "Guidelines for E/M services"