Reader Question:
Base CABG Graft on Contact Points
Published on Thu May 01, 2003
Question: If the physician uses one arterial graft but attaches it to two targets, is the correct code 33533 (Coronary artery bypass, using arterial graft[s]; single arterial graft) or 33534 ( two coronary artery grafts)? New Jersey Subscriber Answer: According to a note in CPT under Coronary Artery Bypass Sequential Combined Arterial-Venous Grafting, "To determine the number of bypass grafts in a coronary artery bypass (CABG), count the number of distal anastomoses (contact point[s]) where the bypass graft artery or vein is sutured to the diseased coronary artery(s)." Considering this information and the fact that the procedure you describe attaches to two points, you should report it with 33534.
