Question | Answer |
What does a pacemaker system include? | a pulse generator (containing electronics and a battery) and one or more electrodes. |
Where might the Electrodes (leads) be inserted in a pacemaker system? | they are inserted thru a vein (transvenous) or placed on the surface of the heart (epicardial) |
What does an epicardial placement of electrodes require? | A Thoracotomy or sternum |
What does a single pacemaker system include? | a pulse generator and one electrode inserted in either the atrium or the right ventricle. |
What does a dual-chamber pacemaker system include? | involves insertion of electrodes into both the atrium and the right ventricle that are then connected to a pulse generator capable of pacing and sensing both atrium and the ventricle. |
What is a Biventricular pacing system? | is used when pacing of the left ventricle is required in addition to pacing of the right ventricle. |
What type of placement is used in a Biventricular system? | It is similar to that of a single- or dual-chamber system, with additional complexity of the transvenous placement of the lead in a cardiac vein to reach the left ventricle. |
What is a Pacing Cardioverter-Defibrillator System? | This device recognizes and provides antitachycardia pacing, dual-chamber bradycardia therapy, and atrial and/or ventricular defibrillation therapy. |
Where can a Pacing Cardioverter-Defibrillator System be placed? | They can be implanted in subcutaneous infraclavicular pocket or in an abdominal pocket. |
What is Epicardial Lead Placement? | Electrode positioning on the epicardial surface of the heart requires thoracotomy, or thoracoscopic placement of the leads. |
What does removal of these epicardial leads entail? | May first be attempted by transvenous extraction (33244). If this does not work then a thoracotomy may be required to remove electrodes (33243) |
CABG | Coronary Artery Bypass Graft |
How is a bypass operation performed with only venous grafts reported? | 33510-33516 |
How is a bypass operation performed with only internal mammary arteries or other arteries reported? | 33533-33536 |
How is bypass operations performed with a combination or venous and arterial grafts for distal anastomoses reported | 33533-33536 |
How is the 3rd reporting method of CABG reported? | 33517-33523 |
T/F
Codes 33517-33523 are not exempt from the use of modifier 51. | False |
For component coding what should you know. | That it is a subsection of vascular interventions and that its diagnostic or therapeutic services that are provided. Also when its therapeutic you can not code for diagnostic services. |
T/F
You shouldn't use an add-on code for the # of distal venous anastomoses used for the 3rd reporting method of CABG. | False |