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Perfusion bypass catheter with ECMO

Date: Dec 5, 2023

Question:

As we begin to see patients on ECMO longer and longer, surgeons are adding another catheter to support continued perfusion to the extremities. Would this be considered included in the ECMO, or could another CPT code be applied? I found that code 36620 might be a good representation code for this work. What are your thoughts?

"The 5 French catheter in the Right SFA was serially dilated to accept a 6 French distal perfusion catheter and flushed with hep saline. Contrast was administered through distal perfusion catheter with confirmation of flow down the SFA. The SFA cannula connected to the side port of the arterial cannula. ECMO flow initiated with good color change."

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