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 The coding advice may or may not be outdated.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft with Vein Interposition

Date: Oct 21, 2019

Question:

"The segment of reverse saphenous vein was anastomosed to the obtuse marginal #1 with a 7-0 Prolene suture in end-to-side fashion. This was followed by a side-to-side anastomosis to the ramus. The proximal anastomosis was created with a 6-0 Prolene suture in end-to-side fashion. There was only a short remaining segment of saphenous vein. A proximal end was anastomosed to the diagonal with a 7-0 Prolene suture in end-to-side fashion, and the distal end was sewn to the mid LAD with a 7-0 Prolene suture in end-to-side fashion. The left internal mammary artery was then anastomosed side-to-side to the saphenous vein and the diagonal anastomosis with a 7-0 Prolene suture in a side-to-side manner. There was no valve to consider in this segment. Finally an end-to-side anastomosis was performed between the left internal mammary artery and the distal LAD with a 7-0 Prolene suture in end-to-side fashion." Surgeon says she did a CABG x 5 (3 mammary to artery and 2 saphenous vein grafts, 33535 and 33518). Does the vein interposition affect these codes, and if so, how?

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!