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Official Description

Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with intracoronary stent, with coronary angioplasty when performed; each additional branch of a major coronary artery (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 92934 refers to a specific cardiac procedure known as percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, which is performed in conjunction with the placement of an intracoronary stent and, when applicable, coronary angioplasty. This procedure is typically indicated for patients with significant blockages in the coronary arteries, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle and potentially result in serious cardiovascular events. The process begins with the physician preparing the skin over the access artery, commonly the femoral artery, and puncturing it to insert a sheath. A guidewire is then navigated through the aorta into the affected coronary artery. The atherectomy is executed using a specialized catheter equipped with a cutting piston that effectively shaves away plaque from the arterial wall. This plaque is collected within the device and removed upon completion of the procedure. Following the atherectomy, a balloon angioplasty may be performed to further compress any residual plaque, and subsequently, a stent is deployed to maintain arterial patency. The stent acts as a scaffold, ensuring that the artery remains open and blood flow is restored. A completion angiography is conducted to confirm the success of the procedure and the patency of the treated artery. It is important to note that this code is specifically used for each additional branch of a major coronary artery treated during the procedure, with the primary procedure being coded separately.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 92934 is indicated for patients experiencing significant coronary artery disease, particularly those with blockages in multiple branches of major coronary arteries. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:

  • Coronary Artery Disease Patients with atherosclerosis leading to significant narrowing or occlusion of coronary arteries.
  • Angina Pectoris Patients experiencing chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
  • Myocardial Ischemia Patients with symptoms of ischemia, indicating inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle.
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients presenting with unstable angina or non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) may require intervention.

2. Procedure

The procedure for CPT® Code 92934 involves several critical steps to ensure effective treatment of coronary artery blockages. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Access Site Preparation The physician begins by preparing the skin over the access artery, typically the femoral artery. This area is cleaned and sterilized to minimize the risk of infection. 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 aorta into the blocked coronary artery. This guidewire serves as a pathway for subsequent devices used in the procedure.
  • Step 3: Atherectomy Procedure The physician utilizes a specialized atherectomy catheter, which features a cutting piston. This device is advanced to the site of the blockage, where the cutting piston shaves plaque from the arterial wall. The plaque is collected within 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 blockage site. The balloon is inflated to compress any remaining plaque against the arterial wall, further improving blood flow.
  • Step 5: Stent Placement Following angioplasty, a collapsed stent is advanced to the site of the blockage using the balloon catheter. Once positioned correctly, the balloon is inflated to expand the stent, which acts as a scaffold to keep the artery open.
  • Step 6: Completion Angiography After the stent is deployed, contrast material is injected, and a completion angiography is performed to assess the success of the procedure and ensure that the treated artery is patent.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care for patients undergoing the intervention associated with CPT® Code 92934 typically includes monitoring for any complications, such as bleeding at the access site or adverse reactions to contrast material. Patients may be advised to rest and limit physical activity for a specified period following the procedure. Follow-up appointments are essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and to monitor the patient's recovery. Additionally, the physician may prescribe medications to manage any underlying conditions and prevent future cardiovascular events.

Short Descr PRQ CARD STENT/ATH/ANGIO
Medium Descr PRQ TRLUML CORONARY STENT/ATH/ANGIO ADDL BRANCH
Long Descr Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with intracoronary stent, with coronary angioplasty when performed; each additional branch of a major coronary artery (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Status Code Bundled Code
Global Days ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 9 - Not Applicable
Multiple Procedures (51) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Co-Surgeons (62) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Team Surgery (66) 9 - Concept does not apply.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates
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 an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.

92933 Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with intracoronary stent, with coronary angioplasty when performed; single major coronary artery or branch
92937 Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of or through coronary artery bypass graft (internal mammary, free arterial, venous), any combination of intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty, including distal protection when performed; single vessel
92941 Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of acute total/subtotal occlusion during acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery or coronary artery bypass graft, any combination of intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty, including aspiration thrombectomy when performed, single vessel
92943 Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 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; single vessel
C9602 Medicare Coverage: Special Coverage Instructions APC J1 Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with drug eluting intracoronary stent, with coronary angioplasty when performed; single major coronary artery or branch
C9604 Medicare Coverage: Special Coverage Instructions APC J1 Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of or through coronary artery bypass graft (internal mammary, free arterial, venous), any combination of drug-eluting intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty, including distal protection when performed; single vessel
C9606 Medicare Coverage: Special Coverage Instructions APC C Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of acute total/subtotal occlusion during acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery or coronary artery bypass graft, any combination of drug-eluting intracoronary stent, atherectomy and angioplasty, including aspiration thrombectomy when performed, single vessel
C9607 Medicare Coverage: Special Coverage Instructions APC J1 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; single vessel
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.
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).
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.
AO Alternate payment method declined by provider of service
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
GY Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any medicare benefit or, for non-medicare insurers, is not a contract benefit
LC Left circumflex coronary artery
LD Left anterior descending coronary artery
LM Left main coronary artery
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
RC Right coronary artery
RI Ramus intermedius coronary artery
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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