Ask Dr. Z

Access left radial artery with micropuncture, left arm AV fistulogram with interpretation. This is a radiocephalic fistula. Can code 36120 be used for direct radial artery puncture for evaluation of the fistula, or is that code only for the brachial artery (36120, 75791)? When a doctor uses the word "micropuncture", does this always mean percutaneous? First example: "Dissected out the fistula and then accessed the aneurysm with a micropuncture 6 French sheath." Second example: "We then accessed the graft with a micropuncture sheath near the arterial limb towards the venous outflow."