How To Use CPT Code 93572

CPT 93572 describes the measurement of intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve during coronary angiography, including pharmacologically induced stress, for each additional vessel. This article will cover the description, procedure, qualifying circumstances, appropriate usage, documentation requirements, billing guidelines, historical information, similar codes and billing examples.

1. What is CPT Code 93572?

CPT 93572 can be used to describe the measurement of intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve during coronary angiography, including pharmacologically induced stress, for each additional vessel. This code is used when the provider passes a catheter into a coronary vessel or bypass graft and injects a medication to increase blood flow. The provider then measures the blood’s velocity and pressure using the Doppler method to determine the extent of a blockage in each additional vessel.

2. Official Description

The official description of CPT code 93572 is: ‘Intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress; each additional vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).’ Notes: (Use 93572 in conjunction with 93571) (Do not report 93572 in conjunction with 0523T) (Intravascular distal coronary blood flow velocity measurements include all Doppler transducer manipulations and repositioning within the specific vessel being examined, during coronary angiography or therapeutic intervention [eg, angioplasty]) (For unlisted cardiac catheterization procedure, use 93799).

3. Procedure

1. In this procedure, the provider passes a catheter into a coronary vessel or bypass graft.
2. The provider injects a medication that increases blood flow.
3. The provider attaches a Doppler ultrasound transducer to a guide wire and advances it through the existing catheter.
4. The provider measures the blood flow and administers a stress agent.
5. The provider takes another measurement and compares the two measurements to determine the extent of a blockage in the vessel.

4. Qualifying circumstances

Patients eligible to receive CPT 93572 services are those who require the measurement of intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve during coronary angiography, including pharmacologically induced stress, for each additional vessel. This procedure is typically performed on patients with suspected blockages in their coronary vessels or bypass grafts. The provider must pass a catheter into the vessel or graft and inject a medication to increase blood flow. The Doppler ultrasound transducer is used to measure the blood’s velocity and pressure, allowing the provider to determine the extent of the blockage.

5. When to use CPT code 93572

CPT code 93572 should be used when the provider needs to measure the intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve during coronary angiography, including pharmacologically induced stress, for each additional vessel. This code is used in conjunction with the primary procedure code 93571. It should not be reported in conjunction with code 0523T. The procedure involves the use of a Doppler ultrasound transducer to assess the blood flow in the coronary vessels or bypass grafts.

6. Documentation requirements

To support a claim for CPT 93572, the provider must document the following information:

• Patient’s diagnosis and the need for the measurement of intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve
• Specific vessels or grafts examined
• Date and time of the procedure
• Details of the Doppler ultrasound measurements and comparisons
• Administration of any stress agents
• Signature of the provider performing the procedure

7. Billing guidelines

When billing for CPT 93572, ensure that the procedure is performed on each additional vessel during coronary angiography, including pharmacologically induced stress. This code should be listed separately in addition to the primary procedure code 93571. Do not report CPT 93572 in conjunction with code 0523T. If the procedure does not fit the specific description of CPT 93572, consider using the unlisted cardiac catheterization procedure code 93799.

8. Historical information

CPT 93572 was added to the Current Procedural Terminology system on January 1, 1999. There have been no updates to the code since its addition. The code was previously described as ‘Intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve measurement (coronary vessel or graft) during coronary angiography including pharmacologically induced stress; each additional vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)’ before a code change on January 1, 2004.

9. Examples

1. A provider measures the intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve during coronary angiography, including pharmacologically induced stress, for an additional vessel in a patient with suspected blockages.
2. A patient undergoes a coronary angiography procedure, and the provider measures the intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve during the procedure for each additional vessel.
3. A provider performs a percutaneous procedure on a coronary vessel and measures the intravascular Doppler velocity and/or pressure derived coronary flow reserve during the procedure for each additional vessel.