CPT code 37247 refers to a medical procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked arteries using a small balloon. This procedure helps improve blood flow in the body. CPT 37247 represents “Transluminal balloon angioplasty (except lower extremity artery(ies) for occlusive disease, intracranial, coronary, pulmonary, or dialysis circuit), open or percutaneous, including all imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation necessary to perform the angioplasty within the same artery; each additional artery (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure).”
Procedure Explanation:
Transluminal balloon angioplasty involves inserting a small balloon into a narrowed artery to help open it up, allowing blood to flow more easily. This particular code, 37247, is used when this procedure is performed on an additional artery, meaning it’s an extra step from the main procedure. It does not apply to arteries in the brain, heart, lungs, legs, or those used for dialysis access, and it includes all necessary imaging and guidance required to complete it.
Common Names:
- Balloon Angioplasty for Additional Artery
- Supplementary Artery Ballooning
- Extra Arterial Balloon Dilation
Relative Value Units (RVU):
The RVUs associated with this code are 3.5.
How This Procedure Appears:
- Operating Room Schedule Name: Additional Artery Balloon Procedure
- Surgical Consent Form Name: Consent for Extra Artery Balloon Angioplasty
Typical Patients and Diagnoses:
This procedure is often used for patients with artery problems like blockages or narrowing, which can happen due to conditions like atherosclerosis (build-up of plaque). For example, someone with restricted blood flow in arteries feeding organs or limbs, excluding those specifically mentioned like brain or heart arteries, might benefit from this procedure.
Associated ICD-10 Codes:
- I70.209: Represents atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities, which is a condition where arteries in the legs become narrowed due to plaque build-up.
- I73.9: Denotes peripheral vascular disease, unspecified, relating to circulation issues due to narrowed blood vessels outside of the heart.
- I25.10: Describes atherosclerotic heart disease of native coronary artery without angina, which is a plaque build-up in heart arteries without chest pain, although not directly treated by this code.
Summary
In summary, code 37247 describes a procedure for clearing additional narrowed arteries, not related to direct coronary, cerebral, or leg arteries. Typical ICD-10 codes associated with 37247 include I70.209 (plaque in main arteries of the limbs) and I73.9 (general circulation problems).
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.