33310 Exploratory heart surgery
Also known as: cardiac exploration, open heart exploration, cardiac exploratory surgery
Exploratory or diagnostic heart surgery opening the pericardium and examining the heart and great vessels.
In Plain Language
opening the heart bag to look inside
Clinical Context
Used for diagnostic purposes when cardiac pathology is unclear or for acute pericardial conditions.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 19.83 |
| Total RVU | 19.83 |
Est. Medicare Payment
National estimate based on 2026 CMS PFS Conversion Factor ($33.40). Actual payment varies by locality (GPCI adjustment).
Billing & Documentation
As a surgical CPT code, proper documentation must include the operative report detailing the procedure performed, patient positioning, approach, findings, and any complications. This code has a 90-day global period, which includes the day of the procedure, 1 day preoperative, and 90 days of postoperative care. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 19.83, this code ranks in the 82nd percentile among Surgery codes — 2.5x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33310?
CPT 33310 (Exploratory heart surgery) is a Surgery code. Exploratory or diagnostic heart surgery opening the pericardium and examining the heart and great vessels.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33310?
The work RVU for CPT 33310 is 19.83. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 33310 used?
Used for diagnostic purposes when cardiac pathology is unclear or for acute pericardial conditions.
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CPT® is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association. Data sourced from CMS Physician Fee Schedule RVU26A. Descriptions, synonyms, and clinical context are original content by RVU Edge.