© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
The CPT® Code 93571 refers to the procedure of measuring intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve during coronary angiography. This measurement is specifically performed on a coronary vessel or graft and includes the use of pharmacologically induced stress. The term "initial vessel" indicates that this code is utilized for the first vessel evaluated in a session, and it is important to note that it should be reported separately in addition to the primary procedure code for coronary angiography. The procedure involves the use of a miniaturized Doppler or pressure transducer that is mounted on a guidewire, which is advanced through an existing catheter to a location just distal to the coronary vessel or graft being assessed. This allows for the collection of baseline blood flow velocity and/or pressure data. To induce stress, a medication is injected directly into the coronary artery, prompting the heart to beat more forcefully and rapidly. During this induced state of hyperemia, further measurements of blood flow velocity and/or pressure are taken. The results from these measurements are then compared to the baseline data, enabling healthcare professionals to calculate the difference between the two states. This difference is critical for determining the severity of any stenosis or lesions present in the coronary artery or graft. For additional vessels evaluated during the same session, the corresponding code 93572 should be used.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 93571 is indicated for the assessment of coronary artery or graft stenosis and other lesions. It is particularly useful in cases where there is a need to evaluate the coronary flow reserve, which can help in determining the functional significance of any observed blockages or abnormalities in the coronary vessels. This procedure is often performed during coronary angiography when there is a suspicion of coronary artery disease or when a patient presents with symptoms such as angina or other cardiovascular issues that may warrant further investigation.
The procedure begins with the insertion of a catheter into the coronary artery during a coronary angiography session. A miniaturized Doppler or pressure transducer is then mounted on a guidewire, which is carefully advanced through the existing catheter to a position just distal to the coronary vessel or graft that is being evaluated. Once in place, baseline measurements of blood flow velocity and/or pressure are obtained to establish a reference point. Following this, pharmacological stress is induced by administering a medication directly into the coronary artery. This medication is designed to increase the heart's workload, resulting in a state of hyperemia, where blood flow to the heart muscle is significantly increased. During this hyperemic phase, additional measurements of blood flow velocity and/or pressure are taken. The data collected during this period is then compared to the baseline measurements to calculate the coronary flow reserve. This comparison is crucial as it helps in assessing the severity of any stenosis or lesions present in the coronary artery or graft.
After the completion of the procedure, patients are typically monitored for any immediate complications or adverse reactions to the pharmacological agent used. It is essential to observe the patient for signs of chest pain, arrhythmias, or other cardiovascular issues. Recovery may vary depending on the individual patient's condition and the complexity of the procedure performed. Patients may be advised to rest and limit physical activity for a specified period following the procedure. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results of the measurements obtained and to determine any further necessary interventions or treatments based on the findings.
| Short Descr | HEART FLOW RESERVE MEASURE | Medium Descr | IV DOP VEL&/OR PRESS C/FLO RSRV MEAS 1ST VSL | Long Descr | 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) | Status Code | Carriers Price the Code | Global Days | ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service | 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 | Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 2 - Surgery | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I3C - Echography/ultrasonography - heart | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 47 - Diagnostic cardiac catheterization, coronary arteriography |
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) | 93593 | MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC J1 Right heart catheterization for congenital heart defect(s) including imaging guidance by the proceduralist to advance the catheter to the target zone; normal native connections | 93594 | MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC J1 Right heart catheterization for congenital heart defect(s) including imaging guidance by the proceduralist to advance the catheter to the target zone; abnormal native connections | 93595 | MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC J1 Left heart catheterization for congenital heart defect(s) including imaging guidance by the proceduralist to advance the catheter to the target zone, normal or abnormal native connections | 93596 | MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC J1 Right and left heart catheterization for congenital heart defect(s) including imaging guidance by the proceduralist to advance the catheter to the target zone(s); normal native connections | 93597 | MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC J1 Right and left heart catheterization for congenital heart defect(s) including imaging guidance by the proceduralist to advance the catheter to the target zone(s); abnormal native connections | 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 | 93572 | 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; each additional vessel (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. | 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). | LD | Left anterior descending coronary artery | RC | Right 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. | LM | Left main coronary artery | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | 80 | Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s). | CR | Catastrophe/disaster related | 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 | AO | Alternate payment method declined by provider of service | 74 | Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53. | 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). | 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. | 62 | Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate. | 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.) | 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 | CC | Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed) | CG | Policy criteria applied | ET | Emergency services | 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 | LT | Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body) | PC | Wrong surgery or other invasive procedure on patient | 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 | Q0 | Investigational clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study | 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 | RD | Drug provided to beneficiary, but not administered "incident-to" | 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 |
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| 2017-01-01 | Changed | Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category. |
| 2013-01-01 | Changed | Guideline information changed. |
| 2004-01-01 | Changed | Code description changed. |
| 1999-01-01 | Added | First appearance in code book in 1999. |
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