33500 Repair heart vessel fistula
Also known as: coronary artery fistula repair, CAF repair, cardiac artery shunt closure
Surgical repair of an abnormal communication (fistula) between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or great vessel, restoring normal blood flow.
In Plain Language
closing an abnormal connection between heart artery and chamber; sealing a leaking heart valve connection
Clinical Context
Indicated for coronary arteriovenous fistulas that cause significant left-to-right shunting, volume overload, or diastolic runoff with hemodynamic consequences, often discovered incidentally on angiography.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 27.24 |
| Total RVU | 27.24 |
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 27.24, this code ranks in the 91st percentile among Surgery codes — 3.4x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33500?
CPT 33500 (Repair heart vessel fistula) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of an abnormal communication (fistula) between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber or great vessel, restoring normal blood flow.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33500?
The work RVU for CPT 33500 is 27.24. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Interventional Cardiology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 33500 used?
Indicated for coronary arteriovenous fistulas that cause significant left-to-right shunting, volume overload, or diastolic runoff with hemodynamic consequences, often discovered incidentally on angiography.
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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.