Summary & Overview
CPT 33141: Laser Revascularization During Open Cardiac Procedure
CPT code 33141 identifies laser revascularization of the heart performed at the same encounter as another open cardiac procedure, such as coronary artery bypass grafting. The code captures an adjunctive intraoperative laser procedure intended to restore myocardial blood flow when performed in conjunction with other open cardiac surgeries. Nationally, this code is relevant where centers provide combined surgical and laser interventions for ischemic heart disease and when payers and hospitals need to classify bundled intraoperative services.
Key payers included in this analysis are Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, the typical site of service, and the service type represented by the code. The publication also covers payer coverage considerations and common billing modifiers in separate sections, along with benchmarking and policy implications where available.
This summary equips administrators, coding professionals, and cardiac surgical teams with a clear understanding of what CPT code 33141 represents, why it is used in surgical encounters, and which major payers are typically part of coverage discussions. Data not available in the input is noted where relevant in the full publication.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33141 describes laser revascularization of the heart performed by a provider to restore blood flow to myocardial tissue. The service is carried out using laser techniques to create channels in the myocardium to improve perfusion.
Service Type: Adjunctive cardiac surgical procedure (laser revascularization) performed at the time of another open cardiac operation
Typical Site of Service: Inpatient hospital operating room or cardiac surgical suite during an open cardiac procedure such as coronary artery bypass grafting
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 68-year-old male with multivessel coronary artery disease and refractory angina is scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Preoperative coronary angiography demonstrates diffuse atherosclerotic disease with a territory not amenable to standard bypass grafting due to small, chronically occluded distal vessels. During the same operative encounter as the open CABG, the cardiothoracic surgeon performs transmyocardial laser revascularization to create channels in ischemic myocardium and augment perfusion to areas that cannot be bypassed.
The clinical workflow includes preoperative cardiology evaluation, informed consent documenting combined procedures, anesthesia induction and median sternotomy for CABG. After completion of graft anastomoses, the surgeon uses a laser revascularization device on targeted ischemic regions of the left ventricle. Intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring and postoperative ICU care follow standard cardiac surgery protocols, with documentation specifying that laser revascularization was performed in conjunction with the open cardiac procedure.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Services not related to the primary procedure (placeholder country-specific) | Use only if payer requires a neutral/placeholder modifier per payer policy; otherwise not typically appended |