For the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) 2021 code set, two new codes, 33995 and 33997, have been created to report the insertion and removal of percutaneous ventricular assist devices (VADs). Code 33995 is a new code that describes the percutaneous insertion of a right heart VAD via venous access. Newly created code 33997 describes percutaneous removal of a right heart VAD with a venous cannula performed at a separate and distinct session from the insertion.
Clinical Example for 33995
“A 87-year-old female presents to the emergency department with an inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Diagnostic tests show she is hypotensive, suffering from right ventricular failure, and has a completely occluded proximal right coronary artery. Despite successful stent placement to the occluded proximal right coronary artery, she continues with persistent hypotension, malperfusion, right ventricular dysfunction, and elevated central venous pressure (CVP). A decision is made to insert a right heart percutaneous ventricular assist device (PVAD) to provide temporary right ventricular support.“ 1
Clinical Example for 33997
The same patient above came back three days later for removal of the VAD.
End Note:
- *CPT Assistant, December 2020, Volume 30, Issue 12, page 4
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