Ask Dr. Z

Question: Is it appropriate to charge venogram 75827 along with 36581?

"Attention was focused to the malfunctioning dialysis catheter initially, which was partially removed with blunt dissection under local anesthetic over a guide wire. An SVC cavogram was performed through the catheter, which showed only a small fibrin sheath in upper SVC unlikely to cause any issues with flow of catheter during dialysis. Subsequently a new tunneled dialysis catheter was advanced over the guide wire. The 13.5 French dialysis catheter was tunneled under skin over right upper chest and then introduced over the guide wire with the tips positioned in right atrium under fluoroscopy guidance."