CPT code 33542 represents open surgical removal of a ventricular aneurysm sac with closure of the ventricular defect, typically performed during coronary artery bypass grafting. This code captures a complex cardiac reconstructive procedure intended to strengthen the ventricular wall and prevent aneurysm rupture, with implications for operative planning, resource use, and inpatient reimbursement. Nationally, the procedure is relevant to hospitals, cardiac surgery programs, and payers managing high-acuity cardiovascular care.

Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise review of the clinical context for the procedure, typical settings of care, and the types of benchmarks and policy elements that influence coverage and coding for complex cardiac surgery. The publication outlines how the code is used in operative reporting, expected site-of-service patterns, and the kinds of payer considerations that commonly arise for high-complexity inpatient cardiac procedures.

This summary equips clinicians, coding professionals, and payer policy staff with a national perspective on the clinical intent of CPT code 33542, the service environment where it is performed, and the areas where coding accuracy and documentation are most consequential. Data not available in the input includes specific utilization rates, payer-specific reimbursement figures, and associated ICD-10 diagnoses.