Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: The physician performed an LHC with no left ventriculography. How should I code this?

Codify Member

Answer: Code 93452 (Left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection[s] for left ventriculography, imaging supervision and interpretation, when performed) is appropriate for this case.

The code definition indicates that it includes left ventriculography "when performed." That last phrase tells you that the left ventriculography is not required for the code to be appropriate, but if the physician performs the left ventriculography, you should not report it separately.

Reminder: A left heart catheterization (LHC) requires the physician to document within the operative report the placement of a catheter (not wire) across the aorta into the left ventricle (LV). If the physician doesn't document a catheter crossing the aorta then look for LV pressures. A catheter must cross the aorta to identify LV pressures.