Summary & Overview
CPT 33951: Pediatric Percutaneous Cannulation for Extracorporeal Circulation
CPT code 33951 covers percutaneous insertion of a peripheral cannula for extracorporeal circulation in children from birth through five years, performed with fluoroscopic guidance. This procedure is clinically significant for pediatric cardiopulmonary insufficiency, where temporary extracorporeal support can stabilize oxygenation and circulation. Nationally, the code matters because it captures a high-acuity pediatric interventional service requiring specialized staff, equipment, and inpatient or interventional-suite resources.
Key payers in typical coverage analyses include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise overview of clinical context and service setting, plus coverage and billing considerations relevant to payers listed above. The publication summarizes expected uses of the code, common clinical scenarios prompting the procedure, and what components the code represents in terms of service delivery.
This resource helps clinicians, hospital billers, and policy analysts understand how CPT code 33951 maps to a discrete pediatric extracorporeal cannulation procedure, the typical care setting, and the high-level payer landscape. Data not available in the input: associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and service line specifics.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33951 describes the percutaneous insertion of a peripheral cannula to establish extracorporeal circulation in a child from birth through five years of age. The procedure is performed through a percutaneous incision and includes use of fluoroscopic guidance. It is typically used for pediatric patients with cardiopulmonary insufficiency requiring extracorporeal support to maintain oxygenation and circulation.
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Service type: Percutaneous cannulation for extracorporeal circulation (pediatric)
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Typical site of service: Hospital inpatient or pediatric cardiac catheterization/interventional suite where fluoroscopic guidance and extracorporeal support are available.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 10-week-old infant with congenital cardiopulmonary insufficiency develops progressive hypoxemia and cardiogenic shock refractory to medical therapy. The pediatric cardiothoracic surgery and intensive care teams decide to institute extracorporeal life support. In the operating room or pediatric cardiac catheterization suite, the surgical team performs percutaneous insertion of a peripheral cannula via a small groin incision under fluoroscopic guidance to establish extracorporeal circulation. The procedure is performed with the infant under general anesthesia, with continuous invasive hemodynamic and arterial oxygenation monitoring. Vascular access, anticoagulation management, cannula position confirmation by fluoroscopy, and securement of the cannula are completed. Post-procedure, the patient is transferred to the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit for ongoing extracorporeal support, anticoagulation monitoring, ventilator management, and daily imaging to confirm cannula position and function.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
11 | Provider performed the service | When the primary surgeon/operator personally performed the procedure |
22 | Increased procedural services |