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Code 33881 vs 33886

Date: May 13, 2014

Question:

Placement of catheter in the aorta x 2; endovascular thoracic aortic repair without coverage of the left subclavian artery. Use of non-coronary IVUS, graft used 42 x 42 x 150 proximal main graft, extension of 46 x 42 x 150. Patient had a rupturing thoracic aneurysm. The patient had previous stent grafts, and the components had separated. The decision was made to bridge the separation of the components as well as extend past the aneurysm to cover the aneurysm. It was felt that we would bridge the components with a 42 x 42 x 150 graft. This was passed over the wire. Pigtail catheter was utilized to confirm position using LAO picture view, and the bridging component was placed. Angiogram was again obtained, again localizing the celiac artery, and a second distal extension was placed. The grafts and attachment sites were ballooned. Would the bridging of the prior thoracic components be reported with code 33881 or 33886 since the patient had prior stent grafts? I know we can't use both 33881 and 33886. The physician states that 33881 is the correct code.

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