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Official Description

Endomyocardial biopsy

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The endomyocardial biopsy, as described by CPT® Code 93505, is a medical procedure in which a physician obtains a small sample of heart tissue for diagnostic purposes. This procedure is essential for evaluating various cardiac conditions, particularly when there is a need to assess myocardial inflammation, infiltrative diseases, or to confirm a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. The process begins with the preparation of the cannulation site, which involves cleansing the area and administering a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort for the patient. Depending on whether a right or left ventricular biopsy is being performed, the physician will select an appropriate access point; typically, the right internal jugular vein is used for right ventricular biopsies, while the right or left femoral artery is chosen for left ventricular biopsies. Once the access site is prepared, a small incision is made to facilitate the insertion of a needle into the selected vessel. A guidewire is then placed through the needle, allowing for the introduction of a self-sealing sheath, which is advanced through the blood vessel and positioned within the heart's ventricle. The bioptome, a specialized instrument designed for tissue sampling, is introduced through the sheath and directed toward the septum of the heart. The physician carefully maneuvers the bioptome to the targeted biopsy site, where a tissue sample is collected. After the biopsy is completed, both the bioptome and sheath are removed, and pressure is applied to the access site to prevent bleeding. Finally, the skin incision is closed, and a pressure dressing is applied to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The endomyocardial biopsy is indicated for several specific clinical scenarios where obtaining myocardial tissue is essential for diagnosis and management. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Myocarditis - Inflammation of the heart muscle, which may require tissue analysis to determine the underlying cause.
  • Cardiomyopathy - Various forms of cardiomyopathy, particularly when the etiology is unclear and further investigation is needed.
  • Infiltrative diseases - Conditions such as sarcoidosis or amyloidosis that affect the heart muscle and require histological confirmation.
  • Transplant rejection - Evaluation of heart transplant patients for signs of acute or chronic rejection.

2. Procedure

The endomyocardial biopsy procedure involves several critical steps to ensure successful tissue sampling. The following outlines the procedural steps:

  • Step 1: Preparation of the Cannulation Site - The physician begins by cleansing the venous or arterial access site to reduce the risk of infection. A local anesthetic is then injected to numb the area, ensuring patient comfort during the procedure.
  • Step 2: Access Site Selection - For a right ventricular biopsy, the right internal jugular vein is typically selected, while the right or left femoral artery is chosen for a left ventricular biopsy. This selection is crucial for proper access to the heart.
  • Step 3: Incision and Vessel Puncture - A small incision is made in the skin over the chosen access site. A needle is then used to puncture the selected vessel, allowing for the introduction of a guidewire.
  • Step 4: Introduction of the Sheath - A guidewire is placed through the needle, and a self-sealing sheath is introduced over the guidewire. The sheath is carefully advanced through the blood vessel and positioned within the right or left ventricle, depending on the biopsy being performed.
  • Step 5: Biopsy Sampling - The bioptome is introduced through the sheath and advanced into the ventricle, oriented toward the septum. The bioptome forceps are directed into the desired biopsy site, and a tissue sample is obtained for analysis.
  • Step 6: Completion of the Procedure - After the tissue sample is collected, the bioptome and sheath are removed. Pressure is applied to the access site to control any bleeding, and the skin incision is closed. A pressure dressing is then applied to promote healing and minimize complications.

3. Post-Procedure

After the endomyocardial biopsy, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications, such as bleeding or infection at the access site. It is essential to ensure that the patient remains stable and that the site is healing properly. Patients may be advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities for a specified period following the procedure. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the biopsy results and any further management based on the findings. Additionally, healthcare providers may provide specific instructions regarding wound care and signs of potential complications that patients should watch for during their recovery.

Short Descr ENDOMYOCARDIAL BIOPSY
Medium Descr ENDOMYOCARDIAL BIOPSY
Long Descr Endomyocardial biopsy
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
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 Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 62 - Other diagnostic cardiovascular procedures

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

93569 Add-on Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective pulmonary arterial angiography, unilateral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93573 Add-on Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective pulmonary arterial angiography, bilateral (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93574 Add-on Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective pulmonary venous angiography of each distinct pulmonary vein during cardiac catheterization (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93575 Add-on Code Resequenced Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for selective pulmonary angiography of major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) arising off the aorta or its systemic branches, during cardiac catheterization for congenital heart defects, each distinct vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
93662 Addon Code MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC N PUB 100 CPT Assistant Article Intracardiac echocardiography during therapeutic/diagnostic intervention, including imaging supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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.
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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).
TC Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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.
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.
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).
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
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
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
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
Date
Action
Notes
2025-01-01 Changed Short Description changed.
2019-01-01 Note AMA Guidelines removed.
2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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