Ask Dr. Z

Ask Dr. Z Knowledge Base houses over 7,500 coding questions and answers dating back to 2013.

Ask Dr. Z Disclaimer

Please note this question was answered in 2014. The coding advice may or may not be outdated.

Endarterectomy vs. Stent Placement

Date: Jun 13, 2014

Question:

I cannot locate information for coding femoral endarterectomy and stent placement. "Operative Note: After completion of the endovascular stent graft, the external iliac, profunda femoris, and SFA were clamped and the sheath removed. A longitudinal incision was created in the common femoral artery, and extensive plaquing was noted, necessitating endarterectomy of distal external iliac, common femoral, and profunda femoris origin. Additionally, a stent was placed in the proximal superficial femoral artery to tack down the plaque at this level. This was performed, and then a patch angioplasty was used to close the arteriotomy." Would it be appropriate to code for the endarterectomy (35371) or the stent (37226), as I don't feel you can code for both procedures since they are within the same vessel.

Sign up for a membership to view the answer to this question.

Need to ask Dr.Z?

Don't see the answer you're looking for in the knowledge base? No problem. You can ask Dr. Z directly!
Ask Dr. Z a question now!