Summary & Overview
CPT 33852: Aortic Arch Repair Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass
CPT code 33852 defines surgical repair of an incompletely developed or disrupted aortic arch using autogenous graft or prosthetic material performed without cardiopulmonary bypass. This procedure is a specialized cardiovascular surgical intervention typically performed in an inpatient hospital operating room or a dedicated cardiac surgery suite and addresses complex congenital or acquired arch pathology that can be repaired without full cardiopulmonary support. Nationally, accurate coding for high-acuity aortic arch repairs affects clinical reporting, care coordination, and payer reimbursement processes for major cardiovascular centers.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context, service setting, and commonly applied modifiers. The publication outlines benchmark considerations for utilization and payment where available, highlights coding clarity for surgical teams and billing staff, and summarizes relevant policy and coverage implications at a national level. Information about associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, and related codes is noted where provided; where input data is absent, the text indicates that those specifics are not available.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33852 describes surgical repair of an incompletely developed or disrupted aortic arch using an autogenous graft or prosthetic material performed without cardiopulmonary bypass. This procedure addresses congenital or acquired aortic arch abnormalities requiring reconstruction or patching of the arch segments.
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Service type: Open aortic arch repair without cardiopulmonary bypass
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Typical site of service: Inpatient hospital operating room or specialized cardiac surgery suite
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A typical patient is a neonate or infant diagnosed with an incompletely developed or disrupted aortic arch (congenital aortic arch hypoplasia or interruption) presenting with signs of poor systemic perfusion, differential cyanosis, respiratory distress, or failure to thrive. Preoperative evaluation includes transthoracic echocardiography, chest CT or MRI angiography to define arch anatomy and intracardiac lesions, and multidisciplinary review by pediatric cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, and anesthesia. The procedure 33852 is performed in an operating room or specialized pediatric cardiac surgical suite without cardiopulmonary bypass (off-pump), typically using autogenous tissue or prosthetic patch/graft to reconstruct the arch. Intraoperative monitoring includes arterial lines, central venous access, near-infrared spectroscopy, and transesophageal or epicardial echocardiography when feasible. Postoperative care occurs in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit with ventilatory support, inotropic management, and imaging follow-up to assess repair integrity and perfusion. Discharge planning includes outpatient cardiology follow-up and imaging surveillance for restenosis or aneurysm formation.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | No modifier | Standard reporting when no additional modifier applies |