CPT Code 33660 | Description & Clinical Information
CPT 33660 describes the surgical procedure in which the healthcare provider sutures or uses a patch made of Dacron® material or pericardium to close a hole in the wall between the atria and ventricles, and also repairs the tricuspid and mitral valves while ensuring proper placement of valve leaflets, depending on the severity of valve defect.
Official Description
The CPT book defines CPT code 33660 as: “Repair of incomplete or partial atrioventricular canal (ostium primum atrial septal defect), with or without atrioventricular valve repair”.
Clinical Information
The procedure described by CPT code 33660 is a complex and delicate surgery that involves the repair of heart defects such as mitral valve abnormalities, ventricular septal defects, and atrial septal defects. This intricate procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and it involves making an incision in the middle of the chest to expose the heart.
To maintain the body’s function during the operation, a heart-lung machine or cardiopulmonary bypass is used. This device acts as a substitute for the heart by pumping the blood through the body while the heart is cooled, stopped, emptied, and opened. The heart is usually opened through the right atrium, which provides the surgeon with access to the affected areas.
One of the primary repairs performed during the procedure is the closure of the mitral valve’s anterior leaflet division. This is achieved by placing interrupted sutures in the affected area, followed by the closure of the valve with adequate sutures.
Another crucial step in the procedure is the closure of the ventricular septal defect. This is achieved by attaching a patch of Dacron cloth or a patch of pericardium to the defect using sutures. Similarly, the atrial septal defect is also closed by attaching a patch of Dacron or pericardium to the affected area.
To provide additional support to the repaired areas, the affected tricuspid and mitral valves may be reconstructed based on the severity of the defect. This reconstruction is then supported by the rebuilt septum, which is a major component of the heart’s structure.
Once the repairs are completed, the heart is closed, and the heart-lung machine is removed. The heart is then restarted, and the patient is closely monitored to ensure that the repair was successful.
In conclusion, CPT code 33660 is a complex and intricate surgical procedure that aims to repair heart defects such as mitral valve abnormalities, ventricular septal defects, and atrial septal defects. This procedure requires a skilled surgeon and a team of healthcare professionals working together to repair the affected areas successfully. While it is a delicate operation, it can provide patients with a new lease on life and a better quality of life.
Return to all the CPT codes for repair procedures for septal defect.
