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CPT codes for embolectomy and iliac angioplasty

Date: Dec 13, 2011

Question:

Hello Again, I am having a hard time with this case. I am debating between cpt codes 32401 with 75710-59,37220 or 35371,37184, 37220 and 75710-59. I am helding more on 32401 codes as i see the incision and repair and a catheter is also used. for the second pair of codes i really dont see the andarterectomy 35371 done as the surgeon states. Please help as the more i read it the more confused i get. Thanks for your help.... PROCEDURE: 1. Right common femoral artery exploration with endarterectomy. 2. Right SFA embolectomy. 3. Right common femoral embolectomy. 4. Right external iliac embolectomy. 5. Right iliac angiogram. 6. Right common iliac embolectomy with over the wire Fogarty, 4 French. 7. Right common femoral angioplasty with 8 millimeter x 60 millimeter balloon. 8. Right common femoral artery repair with patch angioplasty. - SURGEON: Kin-Man Lai, M.D. - ASSISTANT: John Beemer, Physician's Assistant. - ANESTHESIA: General endotracheal anesthesia. - ESTIMATED BLOOD LOSS: 50 cc. - ESTIMATED FLUID: A liter of normal saline. - COMPLICATIONS: None. - DISPOSITION: To the recovery room in stable condition. - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE: This is a 52-year-old gentleman with known peripheral vascular disease status post right common iliac angioplasty and stenting with double stent in the past and status post left common femoral artery endarterectomy and patch angioplasty repair 2 years ago who presented to the emergency room today with a four day history of right lower extremity numbness. The patient's symptoms progressively worsened with inability to walk and pain. - The patient was immediately evaluated with bedside ultrasound which noted there was little to no flow in the common femoral artery. The patient has flow in the SFA and profunda femoral artery via collateral. The patient also has no flow in the external iliac artery. Due to these findings and history of peripheral vascular disease and stenting, the patient was deemed to have evidence of acute on chronic ischemia. The patient was then given the option to go to the operating room to have this repair emergently. The risks and benefits of this procedure were carefully explained to patient and wife in full detail who wished to proceed. - The patient was then brought to the operating room, placed on the operating room table. After adequate anesthesia was achieved, the patient was appropriately prepped and draped. We made an incision approximately 3 inches above the groin crease. The subcutaneous tissue was then dissected with cautery device. With Weitlaner in place we dissected all the way down to the common femoral vein following the epigastric branch. We also ligated the epigastric branch and saved it for patch angioplasty repair at the end of the procedure. - We isolated the common femoral artery which has no pulse. A vessel loop was then placed around each one, the distal aspect of the common femoral artery. The patient was given 5000 units of heparin. When the heparin had been in for five minutes we opened up the arteriotomy with an 11 blade, extended it with Potts scissors. We then performed a Fogarty angioplasty with #3 Fogarty down the SFA and then #4 Fogarty at the common femoral and external iliac. We were not able to pass the Fogarty retrograde past 15 millimeters. Due to these reasons, I suspected a possible occlusion or stenosis of the previous atrium stent. We therefore placed a 6 French sheath in place and used 4 French over the wire Fogarty to open up a small passage. Under fluoroscopic guidance we were able to gain access to above common iliac artery on the right side. - Angiogram with Kumpfe catheter revealed no flow into the right limb of the iliac artery. We therefore proceeded to perform over the wire Fogarty with a 4 French system. We removed a small amount of clot. At this point we did not have good flow under completion angiogram. We therefore used an 8 millimeter x 60 millimeter Admiral balloon and performed angioplasty of this stent. This was performed successfully. Post procedure we had an open channel in the common iliac. We had good flow into the right iliac and retrograde flow into the aorta and the left iliac system. - At this point, after multiple angioplasty was performed, we elected to remove the sheath and proceeded to irrigate the arteriotomy and then we paired this arteriotomy with the epigastric branch saphenous vein. This was repaired with a 6-0 Prolene. This was repaired without any difficulty. We backflushed and foreflushed the conduit and irrigated the repair area with heparinized saline. The patient has good pulse at the end of the procedure. - We then proceeded to apply thrombin soaked Gelfoam for hemostasis. We then proceeded to close the wound with 2-0, 3-0, and 4-0 Vicryl and then Biosyn. The patient's wound was then carefully cleaned off and local anesthesia was infused. DermaFlex was then used as a sterile dressing. The patient tolerated the procedure well. No complications. The patient was then taken to recovery in stable condition. - -
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