Summary & Overview
CPT 33670: Cardiac Septa and Valve Repair or Replacement
CPT code 33670 identifies open cardiac surgical procedures focused on repairing defects of the heart's septa and valves, including suture repair, patching with Dacron® or pericardium, and possible prosthetic valve replacement. This code captures complex, resource-intensive cardiac operations that have significant implications for inpatient surgical reimbursement, perioperative quality measurement, and surgical care pathways nationwide. Key payers referenced in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise clinical context for CPT code 33670, an outline of the typical site and service type, and a summary of common billing considerations. The publication provides benchmarks and comparative perspectives where available, describes relevant policy and coverage themes affecting payment and prior authorization, and explains implications for clinical documentation and coding accuracy. Data not available in the input for specific associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service line are noted where applicable. The content is intended to inform coding professionals, hospital revenue teams, and policy analysts about the clinical scope and billing context of CPT code 33670 at a national level.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33670 describes open cardiac surgery to repair defects of the heart's septa and valves. The procedure typically involves suturing or patching defects using materials such as Dacron® or pericardium, and may include replacement of a defective valve with a prosthetic valve.
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Service type: Cardiac reconstructive and valve repair/replacement surgery
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Typical site of service: Inpatient hospital operating room and postoperative inpatient care
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 58-year-old patient with symptomatic mitral regurgitation and an atrial septal defect presents for planned open cardiac repair. Preoperative evaluation includes transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography confirming a flail mitral leaflet and a secundum atrial septal defect. Coronary angiography shows no obstructive coronary disease. The operative plan is median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass to repair the atrial septal defect with a pericardial patch and perform mitral valve repair using sutures and annuloplasty; conversion to valve replacement with a prosthetic valve is reserved if repair is not feasible.
The clinical workflow includes preoperative risk assessment and optimization, informed consent documenting potential for valve replacement, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, administration of cardioplegia and cardiopulmonary bypass, surgical repair or replacement of septal and valvular defects, immediate intraoperative assessment of valve competence, and postoperative transfer to the cardiac intensive care unit for hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator weaning, and anticoagulation management as indicated.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Invalid or not used for billing | Not a billable modifier; not applied clinically |