CPT code 33208 refers to the process of putting in a permanent pacemaker with connections to both the top and bottom chambers of the heart.
Procedure Explanation:
This procedure involves either installing a new pacemaker or replacing an old one with a permanent device. The device has wires, known as electrodes, that connect through veins to both the upper and lower parts of the heart to help maintain a healthy heart rhythm. This procedure does not include pacemakers that don’t have electrodes connecting to both chambers or temporary pacemakers used for short-term problems.
Common Names:
- Dual-Chamber Pacemaker Insertion
- Atrial and Ventricular Pacemaker Implantation
- Biventricular Pacemaker Placement
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 8.52.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Permanent dual-chamber pacemaker implantation
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Insertion of new or replacement permanent pacemaker with atrial and ventricular leads
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
Patients who undergo this procedure often have conditions that cause irregular or slow heartbeats. This can include people with heart block, where the heart’s electrical signals are delayed or completely blocked, or those with atrial fibrillation, where the heart beats irregularly and sometimes too slowly.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- I44.2: Complete atrioventricular block, a condition where the electrical signals are totally blocked, preventing the heart from beating properly.
- I47.2: Ventricular tachycardia, which describes a fast and sometimes irregular heartbeat that arises from the heart’s lower chambers.
- I48.91: Unspecified atrial fibrillation, where the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly and at times can lead to slow heart rates.
Summary
In summary, code 33208 describes the installation of a permanent pacemaker connecting to both the upper and lower heart chambers. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 33208 include I44.2 (Complete atrioventricular block) and I47.2 (Ventricular tachycardia).
Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. “CPT” and CPT Codes are registered trademarks of the American Medical Association. HCPCS codes are managed by Medicare and are not subject to copyright.