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Official Description

Percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy mechanical (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 92973 refers to the procedure known as percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy, which is a mechanical method used to remove a thrombus (blood clot) from a coronary artery. This procedure is performed using various types of thrombectomy devices, each designed to effectively extract or disrupt the thrombus. The common types of devices include extraction devices, aspiration devices, saline jet devices, cutter devices, and laser devices. During the procedure, a guidewire is first placed in the coronary artery through cardiac catheterization. The thrombectomy device is then advanced over this guidewire and positioned near the thrombus. For mechanical thrombectomy, the extraction device is maneuvered to a location distal to the thrombus, activated, and then pulled back across the thrombus to extract it. Alternatively, an aspiration device utilizes suction to remove the thrombus, while a saline jet device employs a double lumen catheter to flush the thrombus with high-pressure saline and simultaneously suction the debris. The mechanical cutter device operates by using a blade to break up the thrombus while suctioning the resulting debris into a vacuum bottle. The laser device also serves to fragment the thrombus, which is then suctioned from the artery. Following the successful removal of the thrombus, the physician may proceed with additional therapeutic interventions, such as angioplasty, atherectomy, or stenting, which are separately reportable procedures aimed at treating any resulting coronary artery stenosis.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure of percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy is indicated for patients who present with coronary artery occlusion due to thrombus formation. This may occur in various clinical scenarios, including but not limited to:

  • Acute Myocardial Infarction - Patients experiencing a heart attack due to a blockage in the coronary artery caused by a thrombus.
  • Unstable Angina - Individuals with chest pain that occurs at rest or with minimal exertion, often due to thrombus formation in the coronary arteries.
  • Coronary Artery Disease - Patients with a history of coronary artery disease who develop acute thrombotic events leading to significant stenosis or occlusion.

2. Procedure

The percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy procedure involves several critical steps, which are outlined as follows:

  • Step 1: Cardiac Catheterization - The procedure begins with cardiac catheterization, where a catheter is inserted into the coronary arteries through a percutaneous access point, typically in the femoral or radial artery. This allows for visualization of the coronary arteries and identification of the thrombus location.
  • Step 2: Guidewire Placement - A guidewire is then advanced through the catheter and positioned within the coronary artery, serving as a pathway for the thrombectomy device.
  • Step 3: Thrombectomy Device Advancement - The selected thrombectomy device, whether it be an extraction, aspiration, saline jet, cutter, or laser device, is passed over the guidewire and maneuvered to the site of the thrombus.
  • Step 4: Thrombus Removal - Depending on the type of device used, the thrombus is either extracted, suctioned, disrupted, or fragmented. For instance, the extraction device is pulled back across the thrombus to remove it, while the aspiration device uses suction to clear the clot. The saline jet device flushes the thrombus with saline while suctioning debris, and the cutter device breaks up the thrombus while suctioning the fragments. The laser device similarly disrupts the thrombus for removal.
  • Step 5: Post-Thrombectomy Interventions - After successful thrombus removal, the physician may perform additional therapeutic interventions, such as angioplasty, atherectomy, or stenting, to address any residual stenosis in the coronary artery. These interventions are separately reportable and are crucial for restoring adequate blood flow.

3. Post-Procedure

Post-procedure care following percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy typically involves monitoring the patient for any complications, such as bleeding or re-occlusion of the artery. Patients may be observed in a recovery area for a specified period, during which vital signs are closely monitored. Depending on the patient's condition and the extent of the procedure, they may be discharged the same day or require a longer hospital stay. Follow-up care is essential to assess the success of the procedure and to manage any ongoing treatment for coronary artery disease, including medication management and lifestyle modifications.

Short Descr PRQ CORONARY MECH THROMBECT
Medium Descr PRQ TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY MECHANICL THROMBECTOMY
Long Descr Percutaneous transluminal coronary thrombectomy mechanical (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
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 Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other
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.

92920 Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC J8 Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; single major coronary artery or branch
92924 Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with coronary angioplasty when performed; single major coronary artery or branch
92928 Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC J8 Percutaneous transcatheter placement of intracoronary stent(s), with coronary angioplasty when performed; single major coronary artery or branch
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
92975 Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC C CPT Assistant Article Illustration for Code Thrombolysis, coronary; by intracoronary infusion, including selective coronary angiography
93454 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation;
93455 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) including intraprocedural injection(s) for bypass graft angiography
93456 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with right heart catheterization
93457 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) including intraprocedural injection(s) for bypass graft angiography and right heart catheterization
93458 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed
93459 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) with bypass graft angiography
93460 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with right and left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed
93461 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with right and left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) with bypass graft angiography
93563 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective coronary angiography during congenital heart catheterization (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93564 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective opacification of aortocoronary venous or arterial bypass graft(s) (eg, aortocoronary saphenous vein, free radial artery, or free mammary artery graft) to one or more coronary arteries and in situ arterial conduits (eg, internal mammary), whether native or used for bypass to one or more coronary arteries during congenital heart catheterization, when performed (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
C9600 Medicare Coverage: Special Coverage Instructions APC J1 ASC J8 Percutaneous transcatheter placement of drug eluting intracoronary stent(s), with coronary angioplasty when performed; single major coronary artery or branch
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
RC Right coronary artery
LD Left anterior descending coronary artery
LC Left circumflex coronary artery
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.
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).
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.
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.
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).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
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
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
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
Date
Action
Notes
2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2013-01-01 Changed Description Changed
2002-01-01 Added First appearance in code book in 2002.
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