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Official Description

Percutaneous transcatheter septal reduction therapy (eg, alcohol septal ablation) including temporary pacemaker insertion when performed

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Percutaneous transcatheter septal reduction therapy, commonly known as percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA), is a minimally invasive procedure designed to alleviate dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, a condition often associated with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). This obstruction can lead to significant cardiac symptoms and complications, necessitating intervention. The procedure involves the use of a temporary pacemaker, which is inserted prior to the septal reduction to ensure proper heart rhythm during the intervention. The approach typically begins with an incision in the upper chest to access a vein, such as the cephalic, subclavian, or jugular vein, through which a sheath is introduced. This allows for the advancement of a pacemaker wire into the heart, where it is positioned appropriately. Following the pacemaker setup, the actual septal reduction is performed through the femoral artery, where a catheter is navigated into the coronary arteries to deliver alcohol to specific septal branches. This targeted delivery induces a controlled myocardial infarction, leading to necrosis of the obstructive septal tissue. As the tissue heals, scarring occurs, which ultimately reduces the obstruction at the LVOT and enhances left ventricular function. The procedure is carefully monitored using radiological guidance to ensure precision and effectiveness.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The percutaneous transcatheter septal reduction therapy (PTSMA) is indicated for patients experiencing dynamic left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, particularly as a complication of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). This condition can lead to significant symptoms such as exertional dyspnea, angina, and syncope, necessitating intervention to improve cardiac function and alleviate symptoms.

  • Dynamic LVOT Obstruction This condition is characterized by the obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta, which can result in increased pressure and reduced cardiac output.
  • Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM) A genetic condition that causes abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, leading to obstruction and various cardiac symptoms.

2. Procedure

The procedure begins with the insertion of a temporary pacemaker if deemed necessary. An incision is made in the upper chest over the access vessel, typically the cephalic, subclavian, or jugular vein. A sheath is then inserted into the selected vein, allowing for the advancement of the pacemaker wire under radiological guidance into the appropriate heart chamber. The lead is positioned against the wall of the heart chamber, and if a temporary dual chamber pacemaker is required, this process is repeated. The lead is tested to confirm functionality and is connected to an external generator, which is secured to the skin with tape.

  • Step 1: Temporary Pacemaker Insertion An incision is made, and a sheath is placed in the vein to facilitate the insertion of the pacemaker wire into the heart.
  • Step 2: Accessing the Femoral Artery The skin over the access site, usually the femoral artery, is cleansed, and a local anesthetic is administered. A needle is used to puncture the artery, followed by the placement of a sheath.
  • Step 3: Guidewire Insertion Under radiological supervision, a guidewire is inserted through the sheath, threaded through the access artery into the aorta, and advanced into the left anterior descending coronary artery.
  • Step 4: Angiogram and Catheter Advancement A catheter is advanced over the guidewire to obtain angiograms that delineate the coronary artery vasculature. The angiogram catheter is then removed.
  • Step 5: Balloon Catheter Placement A balloon catheter is advanced over the guidewire to a selected septal branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery, where it is positioned and inflated to temporarily occlude the artery.
  • Step 6: Alcohol Instillation Alcohol is instilled into the septal branch, inducing a localized myocardial infarction that causes necrosis of the septal tissue.
  • Step 7: Repeat Procedure (if necessary) The procedure may be repeated on a second septal branch if indicated.

3. Post-Procedure

Upon completion of the procedure, the balloon catheter and guidewire are removed, and pressure is applied to the puncture site to prevent bleeding. The temporary pacemaker may remain in place during the healing process of the septum. Patients are monitored for any complications and to assess the effectiveness of the procedure in reducing LVOT obstruction. Follow-up care is essential to evaluate recovery and cardiac function.

Short Descr PERQ TRANSCATH SEPTAL REDUXN
Medium Descr PERCUTANEOUS TRANSCATHETER SEPTAL REDUCTION THER
Long Descr Percutaneous transcatheter septal reduction therapy (eg, alcohol septal ablation) including temporary pacemaker insertion when performed
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 000 - Endoscopic or Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard 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 Inpatient Procedures, not paid under OPPS
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other
MUE 1

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

93568 Addon Code MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Injection procedure during cardiac catheterization including imaging supervision, interpretation, and report; for nonselective pulmonary arterial angiography (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
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)
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).
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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.
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
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
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.
2014-01-01 Added Added
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Description
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