Ask Dr. Z

In this scenario, I'm confused if a true right heart catheterization was done. Impella device inserted as well as a Zoll Icy catheter. After the left heart catheterization, a Swan-Ganz was placed into the left pulmonary artery. Pulmonary artery pressures and wedge pressures were taken. No mention of right heart pressures. When reading the CPT description for right heart catheterization, it states "it may include catheter placements in the right ventricle, right atrium and pulmonary artery." You have to go through the right heart to get to the pulmonary artery, correct? So would this be sufficient to report the combination right heart and left heart catheterization code?