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Official Description

Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with coronary angioplasty when performed; single major coronary artery or branch

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 92924 involves a percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, which is a minimally invasive technique used to remove plaque buildup from the coronary arteries. This procedure is typically performed when there is significant blockage in a major coronary artery or its branches, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle and potentially result in angina or myocardial infarction. The atherectomy is often combined with coronary angioplasty, where a balloon is used to further open the artery after plaque removal. The access point for this procedure is usually through the femoral artery, where the skin is prepped, and a needle is used to puncture the artery, allowing for the insertion of a sheath. A guidewire is then navigated through the vascular system to the site of the blockage. The atherectomy device, equipped with a cutting piston, is utilized to shave away the plaque from the arterial wall, effectively clearing the blockage. Following the atherectomy, a balloon catheter may be employed to compress any residual plaque, ensuring that the artery remains open. Finally, a completion angiography is performed to confirm the success of the procedure and the patency of the treated artery.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure described by CPT® Code 92924 is indicated for patients who present with significant coronary artery disease, specifically when there is a blockage in a major coronary artery or its branches. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:

  • Coronary Artery Disease Patients with atherosclerosis leading to significant narrowing of the coronary arteries, which can cause chest pain (angina) or increase the risk of heart attack.
  • Angina Pectoris Patients experiencing recurrent episodes of angina that are not adequately managed with medication or lifestyle changes.
  • Myocardial Ischemia Patients showing signs of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, which may be detected through stress testing or imaging studies.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 92924 involves several key steps that are performed in a controlled environment, typically a catheterization lab. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation and Access The patient is positioned appropriately, and the skin over the access artery, usually the femoral artery, is cleaned and sterilized. A local anesthetic may be administered to minimize discomfort. A needle is then used to puncture the artery, and a sheath is placed to facilitate the introduction of catheters.
  • Step 2: Guidewire Insertion A guidewire is inserted through the sheath and advanced through the vascular system, navigating from the access site through the aorta and into the blocked coronary artery. This guidewire serves as a pathway for subsequent devices.
  • Step 3: Atherectomy Procedure An atherectomy device, which includes a specialized balloon catheter with a cutting piston, is advanced over the guidewire to the site of the blockage. The cutting piston is activated to shave plaque from the arterial wall, effectively reducing the obstruction. The plaque is collected in the device as it is removed from the artery.
  • Step 4: Balloon Angioplasty (if performed) After the atherectomy, a balloon-tipped angioplasty catheter may be advanced to the same site. The balloon is inflated to compress any remaining plaque against the arterial wall, further improving blood flow through the artery.
  • Step 5: Completion Angiography Following the atherectomy and any angioplasty, contrast dye is injected, and a completion angiography is performed to visualize the treated artery. This step ensures that the artery is patent and that the procedure has been successful in restoring adequate blood flow.

3. Post-Procedure

After the completion of the procedure, the patient is typically monitored for any complications, such as bleeding at the access site or changes in vital signs. The patient may be required to lie flat for a period to minimize the risk of bleeding from the puncture site. Follow-up care may include medication management, lifestyle modifications, and further diagnostic testing to assess the success of the procedure and the overall health of the coronary arteries. The physician will provide specific instructions regarding activity levels, medications, and any necessary follow-up appointments.

Short Descr PRQ CARD ANGIO/ATHRECT 1 ART
Medium Descr PRQ TRLUML CORONARY ANGIO/ATHERECT ONE ART/BRNCH
Long Descr Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with coronary angioplasty when performed; 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
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2D - Major procedure, cardiovascualr-Coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
MUE 2
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)
92925 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Bundled Code APC N Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with coronary angioplasty when performed; each additional branch of a major coronary artery (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
92944 Addon Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Bundled Code APC N Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of chronic total occlusion, coronary artery, coronary artery branch, or coronary artery bypass graft, any combination of intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty; each additional coronary artery, coronary artery branch, or bypass graft (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)
C9608 Add-on Code Medicare Coverage: Special Coverage Instructions APC N Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of chronic total occlusion, coronary artery, coronary artery branch, or coronary artery bypass graft, any combination of drug-eluting intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty; each additional coronary artery, coronary artery branch, or bypass graft (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
LD Left anterior descending coronary artery
RC Right coronary artery
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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).
AO Alternate payment method declined by provider of service
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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
LC Left circumflex coronary artery
LM Left main coronary artery
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
RI Ramus intermedius coronary artery
TG Complex/high tech level of care
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2013-01-01 Added Added
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