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Bilateral Pulmonary Artery Thrombolysis

Date: Aug 3, 2013

Question:

"Patient with large bilateral Saddle embolus. Access via RCFA. Catheter was used to select the main pulmonary artery. Angiogram was performed, confirming thrombus present in all lobes. 5 mgs of tPA was administered intra-arterial on the left. Right common artery was then selected. Angiogram was performed, confirming thrombus present in the right upper and middle lobes. 5 mgs of tPA was administered on right. Catheter was removed. IVC filter was then placed, and IVC-gram done before and after filter placement. Bilateral selective renal venogram was done." Per your seminars I am saying that we can't bill a procedure for the injections of the tPA. Is this correct? If a procedure can be billed, what CPT code would be used?

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