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Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a specialized imaging technique used to evaluate congenital cardiac anomalies. This procedure involves the use of a miniature high-frequency ultrasound transducer that is mounted on the tip of a flexible tube, known as a probe. The probe is carefully passed through the patient's mouth and advanced into the esophagus, where it is positioned behind the heart. This unique positioning allows the transducer to direct ultrasound waves directly into the heart, providing a clear and detailed view of its structures. The sound waves emitted by the transducer are reflected back to it, and these echoes are processed by a computer to create real-time images of the heart, which are displayed on a video screen. TEE is particularly beneficial for obtaining comprehensive evaluations of both the functional and anatomical aspects of the heart, including the left and right chambers, heart valves, pericardium, and major blood vessels such as the aorta and pulmonary vessels. The procedure allows for multiple views by manipulating the transducer within the esophagus, enhancing the quality of the assessment. Additionally, TEE employs selective M-mode recording, also referred to as T-M mode, which provides specific time-motion information from a stationary beam superimposed on the two-dimensional images. This M-mode is primarily utilized for precise cardiac measurements, such as assessing septal wall thickness and valve timing. It is important to note that CPT® Code 93316 is specifically designated for instances where only the placement of the transesophageal probe is performed, distinguishing it from other related codes that involve additional steps such as image acquisition and reporting of findings.
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The transesophageal echocardiography procedure is indicated for patients with congenital cardiac anomalies. This imaging technique is particularly useful in situations where a detailed assessment of the heart's structure and function is necessary, especially when transthoracic echocardiography may not provide sufficient information due to anatomical limitations or patient factors.
The procedure for transesophageal echocardiography involves several key steps to ensure accurate placement of the probe and effective imaging of the heart.
After the transesophageal probe placement, the patient is monitored for any immediate complications or discomfort. Recovery typically involves observation until the effects of sedation wear off. Patients may experience a sore throat or mild discomfort following the procedure, which usually resolves quickly. It is essential to provide post-procedure instructions regarding diet and activity restrictions, as well as to schedule any necessary follow-up appointments for further evaluation or treatment based on the findings from the echocardiography.
| Short Descr | ECHO TRANSESOPHAGEAL | Medium Descr | ECHO TRANSESOPHAG CONGEN PROBE PLCMT ONLY | Long Descr | Transesophageal echocardiography for congenital cardiac anomalies; placement of transesophageal probe only | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | 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 | 03 - Procedure must be performed under the personal supervision of physician. | 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 | Type of Service (TOS) | 5 - Diagnostic Laboratory | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I3C - Echography/ultrasonography - heart | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 193 - Diagnostic ultrasound of heart (echocardiogram) |
| 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. | 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). | 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. | 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 | 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 | 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. |
| 1997-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1997. |
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