How To Use CPT Code 35276

CPT 35276 describes the repair of an abnormal or injured intrathoracic blood vessel with a non-venous graft, without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. 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 35276?

CPT 35276 is used to describe the repair of an abnormal or injured intrathoracic blood vessel using a non-venous graft, without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. This code is used when the provider makes a thoracic incision to access the vessel requiring repair, dissects and moves soft tissue and vessels as necessary, and sutures the non-venous graft into place to repair the vessel. The provider then checks for normal blood flow through the repaired vessel and closes the incision.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 35276 is: ‘Repair blood vessel with graft other than vein; intrathoracic, without bypass.’

3. Procedure

1. The provider makes a thoracic incision to access the abnormal or injured intrathoracic blood vessel.
2. Soft tissue and vessels are dissected and moved as necessary to reach the target area.
3. Bleeding is controlled manually.
4. The provider clamps the vessel proximally and distally to the defect.
5. A non-venous graft, typically synthetic, is sutured into place to repair the vessel.
6. The provider checks for normal blood flow through the repaired vessel, possibly using a Doppler probe.
7. The incision is closed with sutures.

4. Qualifying circumstances

CPT 35276 is used when the provider repairs an abnormal or injured intrathoracic blood vessel with a non-venous graft, without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. The procedure is typically performed on patients who require repair of a blood vessel in the chest area. The provider must document the need for the procedure and the specific vessel being repaired.

5. When to use CPT code 35276

CPT code 35276 should be used when the provider performs a repair of an abnormal or injured intrathoracic blood vessel using a non-venous graft, without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. This code should not be used if the repair involves a vein graft or if cardiopulmonary bypass is used during the procedure.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 35276, the provider must document the following information:

• The need for the repair of the intrathoracic blood vessel
• The specific vessel being repaired
• The use of a non-venous graft
• The absence of cardiopulmonary bypass during the procedure
• The date of the procedure
• The start and end time of the procedure
• Any additional details or complications encountered during the procedure
• The provider’s signature

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 35276, ensure that the repair of the intrathoracic blood vessel is performed without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and with a non-venous graft. It is important to use the appropriate CPT code based on the specific circumstances of the procedure. Additionally, be aware of other codes that may be used for similar procedures, such as repair with a vein graft or repair with cardiopulmonary bypass.

8. Historical information

CPT 35276 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1990. The code has not undergone any updates since its addition. In 2017, it was added to the Inpatient Only (IPO) list for Medicare billing purposes.

9. Examples

1. A provider repairs an abnormal intrathoracic blood vessel using a synthetic graft, without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.
2. A surgeon performs a non-venous graft repair of an injured intrathoracic blood vessel through a thoracic incision.
3. A cardiovascular specialist sutures a non-venous graft into place to repair an abnormal intrathoracic blood vessel.
4. A provider checks for normal blood flow through a repaired intrathoracic blood vessel using a Doppler probe.
5. A surgeon closes an incision after repairing an abnormal intrathoracic blood vessel with a non-venous graft.
6. A provider performs a repair of an intrathoracic blood vessel without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, using a non-venous graft.
7. A cardiovascular surgeon sutures a synthetic graft into place to repair an abnormal intrathoracic blood vessel.
8. A provider documents the repair of an intrathoracic blood vessel with a non-venous graft, without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.
9. A surgeon performs a non-venous graft repair of an abnormal intrathoracic blood vessel, ensuring normal blood flow through the repaired vessel.
10. A provider closes an incision after repairing an intrathoracic blood vessel with a non-venous graft, without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.