How To Use CPT Code 33771

CPT 33771 describes the surgical repair of a specific cardiac defect known as transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and subpulmonary stenosis, involving the enlargement of the ventricular septal defect. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 33771?

CPT 33771 is used to describe a surgical procedure that repairs a congenital cardiac defect called transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and subpulmonary stenosis. In this procedure, the provider enlarges the hole in the ventricular septum and uses a graft to connect the left ventricle to the aorta through this hole. Additionally, the provider repairs a narrowing of the pulmonary artery, which carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for purification.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 33771 is: ‘Repair of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and subpulmonary stenosis; with surgical enlargement of ventricular septal defect.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider makes an incision in the chest wall to access the heart, typically using a median sternotomy incision.
2. The patient is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass, and the heart is stopped.
3. The provider opens the right atrium and locates the ventricular septal defect.
4. The ventricular septal defect is enlarged, taking care not to damage the conduction bundles.
5. A patch or graft is sutured to create a tunnel connecting the left ventricle to the aorta through the hole in the ventricular septum.
6. The main pulmonary artery is ligated, and a fabric or cadaver graft is placed to redirect deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the pulmonary circulation.
7. Bleeding is controlled, and the patient is weaned off bypass.
8. The incisions made to establish the bypass are closed, and the chest wall is sutured.
9. Chest or drainage tubes may be placed, and the chest incision is dressed.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 33771 is performed on patients with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and subpulmonary stenosis. The procedure involves the surgical enlargement of the ventricular septal defect and the repair of the narrowing of the pulmonary artery. It is important to note that this procedure is typically performed on patients with specific cardiac anomalies and is not applicable to other conditions.

5. When to use CPT code 33771

CPT code 33771 should be used when a provider performs the surgical repair of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and subpulmonary stenosis, specifically involving the enlargement of the ventricular septal defect. It is important to ensure that the patient meets the qualifying circumstances for this procedure before reporting this code.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 33771, the provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and subpulmonary stenosis
• Description of the surgical procedure performed, including the enlargement of the ventricular septal defect and repair of the pulmonary artery
• Date of the procedure
• Details of the surgical approach and techniques used
• Any complications or additional procedures performed
• Signature of the provider

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 33771, ensure that the procedure performed matches the description of the code. It is important to accurately document the surgical repair of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and subpulmonary stenosis, including the enlargement of the ventricular septal defect. This code should not be reported with other codes unless additional procedures were performed during the same operative session.

8. Historical information

CPT 33771 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1994. In 2017, it was added to the Inpatient Only (IPO) list for Medicare reimbursement.

9. Examples

1. A provider performs the surgical repair of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and subpulmonary stenosis, including the enlargement of the ventricular septal defect, on a newborn baby.
2. A patient with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and subpulmonary stenosis undergoes the surgical repair, which involves the enlargement of the ventricular septal defect and the repair of the pulmonary artery.
3. A provider performs the surgical repair of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and subpulmonary stenosis, including the enlargement of the ventricular septal defect, on a child with complex cardiac anomalies.
4. A teenager with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and subpulmonary stenosis undergoes the surgical repair, which involves the enlargement of the ventricular septal defect and the repair of the pulmonary artery.