CPT code 37236 refers to a medical procedure where a small tube called a stent is inserted into a blood vessel, except for certain specific areas in the body. CPT 37236 represents “Transcatheter placement of an intravascular stent(s) (except lower extremity artery(s) for occlusive disease, cervical carotid, extracranial vertebral or intrathoracic carotid, intracranial, or coronary), open or percutaneous, including radiological supervision and interpretation and including all angioplasty within the same vessel, when performed; initial artery.”
Procedure Explanation:
This procedure involves placing a stent into a blood vessel to help keep it open, which is not done in certain areas like the legs, neck, or some brain and heart vessels. It can be done through a small cut in the skin or through open surgery, and it often includes using imaging techniques to guide the doctor while performing this procedure.
Common Names:
- Vascular stent placement
- Angioplasty with stent
- Endovascular stenting
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 8.75.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Stent placement in blood vessel
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Stent insertion/placement procedure
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
This procedure is commonly used for patients who have blockages or narrowings in their blood vessels that could lead to serious health issues. For example, someone might have a narrowing in an artery due to plaque build-up, and this procedure would help open it up. Such patients are often diagnosed with conditions that involve poor blood flow.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- I70.0: Atherosclerosis of aorta, where plaque builds up in the main artery of the body.
- I25.10: Heart disease caused by narrowed heart arteries, without symptoms at the current time.
- I65.29: Stenosis, or narrowing, of non-specific areas of the neck arteries.
Summary
In summary, code 37236 describes the insertion of a stent into a blood vessel not specified in certain exclusions, to improve blood flow. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 37236 include I70.0 (plaque in the main artery) and I25.10 (inactive heart disease from narrowed arteries).
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.