Ask Dr. Z

Ask Dr. Z Knowledge Base houses over 7,500 coding questions and answers dating back to 2013.

Ask Dr. Z Disclaimer

Please note this question was answered in 2019. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.

PTA with 37212 Thrombolytic Infusion

Date: Mar 7, 2019

Question:

"With a NaviCross catheter and a stiff angled Glidewire, access was ultimately gained to the inferior vena cava, confirmed by injection in the inferior vena cava. The wire was then exchanged through the catheter for a Storq wire. The catheter was then withdrawn. A 7 mm percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty was performed to the level of the inferior vena cava, all the way to the level of the femoral vein, through the external iliac vein and common iliac veins via inflations to 10 atmospheres at 30 seconds x4. Venous balloon angioplasty was performed in order to expose more fibrin receptors in this chronic DVT setting for improved thrombolysis." I want to verify that the angioplasty cannot be coded. It was not done specifically for maceration, which is not allowed, but the reason for it does not seem justified for coding either.

Sign up for a membership to view the answer to this question.

Need to ask Dr.Z?

Don't see the answer you're looking for in the knowledge base? No problem. You can ask Dr. Z directly!
Ask Dr. Z a question now!