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Official Description

Duplex scan of arterial inflow and venous outflow for preoperative vessel assessment prior to creation of hemodialysis access; complete unilateral study

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

Duplex scan of arterial inflow and venous outflow is a specialized ultrasound technique used to assess blood flow dynamics in the vessels prior to the creation of hemodialysis access. This procedure is particularly important for patients with kidney failure who require an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis. The duplex scan combines two imaging modalities: traditional ultrasound and pulsed wave color flow Doppler imaging. This combination allows for a comprehensive evaluation of both the structure of blood vessels and the speed and direction of blood flow within them. The ultrasound component provides a two-dimensional image of the blood vessels, while the Doppler component adds color coding to visualize blood flow, enabling healthcare providers to detect any abnormalities in vessel integrity or blood flow patterns. The procedure is typically performed on the upper extremity vessels, where the AVF will be created, and is especially useful for patients who may have complicating factors such as obesity, previous access surgeries, or suspected vascular diseases. By utilizing this duplex scanning technique, clinicians can make informed decisions regarding the suitability of the vessels for hemodialysis access, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients undergoing this critical procedure.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

Duplex scan of arterial inflow and venous outflow is indicated for the following conditions:

  • Kidney Failure Patients with kidney failure require evaluation of upper extremity vessels for potential arteriovenous fistula (AVF) access for hemodialysis.
  • Obesity Obese patients may have anatomical challenges that necessitate a detailed vascular assessment prior to AVF creation.
  • Previous Access Surgeries Patients with multiple previous access surgeries may have altered vascular anatomy, making duplex scanning essential for proper assessment.
  • Suspected Arterial or Venous Disease Patients with suspected vascular diseases require thorough evaluation to identify any abnormalities that could affect hemodialysis access.

2. Procedure

The procedure for performing a duplex scan of arterial inflow and venous outflow involves several key steps:

  • Patient Preparation The patient is positioned comfortably, typically in a supine position, to allow easy access to the upper extremities. The skin over the area to be examined is cleaned, and a conductive gel is applied to enhance the transmission of sound waves.
  • Transducer Application A transducer wand is placed over the area of interest. The transducer emits high-frequency sound waves that penetrate the skin and are reflected back to the device after bouncing off various tissues, including blood vessels.
  • Doppler Imaging As the transducer is moved along the vessel, Doppler imaging is utilized to assess blood flow. This technique captures the frequency changes in the sound waves that occur as they bounce off moving red blood cells, allowing for the visualization of blood flow direction and speed.
  • Image Acquisition The computer processes the reflected sound waves and generates duplex ultrasound images. These images provide both a color representation of blood flow and a black-and-white view of the surrounding tissues, enabling the clinician to assess vessel integrity and identify any abnormalities.
  • Assessment and Documentation The clinician evaluates the images for any signs of stenosis, occlusion, or other vascular abnormalities. Detailed documentation of the findings is recorded for further analysis and to guide surgical planning for AVF creation.

3. Post-Procedure

After the duplex scan is completed, the patient may resume normal activities immediately, as there are no invasive components to the procedure. The results of the scan are typically reviewed by the physician, who will discuss the findings with the patient and determine the next steps for hemodialysis access. Any identified abnormalities may necessitate further evaluation or intervention. It is important for the patient to follow up with their healthcare provider to ensure appropriate management based on the duplex scan results.

Short Descr DUP-SCAN HEMO COMPL UNI STD
Medium Descr DUPLEX SCAN ARTL INFL&VEN O/F HEMO COMPL UNI STD
Long Descr Duplex scan of arterial inflow and venous outflow for preoperative vessel assessment prior to creation of hemodialysis access; complete unilateral study
Status Code Active Code
Global Days XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services
Multiple Procedures (51) 6 - Special payment adjustment rules on the technical component (TC) of multiple diagnostic cardiovascular services 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 Procedure or Service, Not Discounted when Multiple
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) none
MUE 1
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.
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
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
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
GA Waiver of liability statement issued as required by payer policy, individual case
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).
GZ Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
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.
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).
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.
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
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
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
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
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
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
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2020-01-01 Added Code added.
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