Summary & Overview
CPT 33952: Percutaneous Peripheral Cannulation for Extracorporeal Circulation, Pediatric
CPT code 33952 covers percutaneous insertion of a peripheral cannula for extracorporeal circulation in children aged six years and older using fluoroscopic guidance. This code captures a specialized, high-acuity pediatric procedure used when cardiopulmonary insufficiency requires temporary mechanical support. Nationally, accurate coding of this service matters for appropriate hospital and physician payment, clinical tracking of extracorporeal support use in pediatric populations, and alignment of payer medical necessity criteria for emergent or planned support.
Key payers in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the clinical context and service setting, common billing modifiers associated with this procedure (listed separately), and guidance on where this code fits within pediatric cardiothoracic and interventional service lines. The publication also summarizes typical sites of service and the clinical indications that commonly drive use of this code, and it outlines the types of benchmarks and policy updates readers should expect when monitoring pediatric extracorporeal support services nationally.
Data not available in the input for specific associated taxonomies, ICD-10 diagnoses, related codes, and payer-specific reimbursement benchmarks.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 33952 describes the percutaneous insertion of a peripheral cannula to establish extracorporeal circulation in a child aged six years or older. The procedure is performed through a percutaneous incision and includes the use of fluoroscopic guidance. It is typically used for children with cardiopulmonary insufficiency where temporary extracorporeal support is required to maintain oxygenation and circulation.
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Service type: Percutaneous cannulation for extracorporeal circulation
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Typical site of service: Hospital operating room or interventional suite with fluoroscopic capability
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 7-year-old child with progressive cardiopulmonary insufficiency secondary to congenital heart disease is scheduled for percutaneous peripheral cannula placement to establish extracorporeal circulation. The child presents with worsening hypoxemia, signs of low cardiac output, and the clinical team determines temporary extracorporeal support is required for stabilization prior to definitive surgical repair. The procedure is performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory or hybrid operating room under general anesthesia. Vascular access is obtained via a small percutaneous incision and a peripheral cannula is advanced under fluoroscopic guidance into the appropriate central or peripheral vessel to allow initiation of extracorporeal circulation. The multidisciplinary workflow includes pre-procedure imaging review, anesthesia induction with pediatric monitoring, sterile vascular access by the interventional cardiologist or cardiothoracic surgeon, fluoroscopic confirmation of cannula position, hemodynamic monitoring while initiating extracorporeal flow, and post-procedure transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit for ongoing support and monitoring. Documentation elements include indication, informed consent, cannula size and site, fluoroscopy time, any complications, concurrent procedures, and disposition.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
00 | Standard primary payer code (not commonly used in CPT submissions) | Rarely used; follows payer-specific guidance when required |
| Office or other outpatient service (often payer-specific) | Use when this service is performed in an outpatient setting and payer requires this modifier