Ask Dr. Z

I have a report for an epicardial VT ablation. The physician advanced a Biosense-Webster NaviStar ThermoCool ablation catheter into the pericardial space and ablation was performed. The dictation states, "The pericardial space was periodically aspirated throughout the procedure and the fluid remained clear." The physician has checked off 33010 on the encounter form. I did a little research on the catheter and it sounds to me like the physician is aspirating fluid accumulated from the irrigation catheter. There was no mention of an effusion and, in fact, an echo earlier in the day stated that none was found. Should I bill code 33010? Or in this case is the aspiration just part of the ablation?