33501 Repair heart vessel fistula
Also known as: simple coronary fistula repair, CAF repair limited, single coronary fistula closure
Surgical repair of a coronary artery to cardiac chamber or great vessel fistula with simplified or less complex anatomic involvement compared to code 33500.
In Plain Language
fixing a leakage between heart artery and chamber
Clinical Context
Used for uncomplicated coronary artery fistulas with straightforward anatomy and single point of intervention, often managed with ligation or simple closure techniques.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 19.02 |
| Total RVU | 19.02 |
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 19.02, this code ranks in the 81st percentile among Surgery codes — 2.4x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33501?
CPT 33501 (Repair heart vessel fistula) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of a coronary artery to cardiac chamber or great vessel fistula with simplified or less complex anatomic involvement compared to code 33500.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33501?
The work RVU for CPT 33501 is 19.02. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Interventional Cardiology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 33501 used?
Used for uncomplicated coronary artery fistulas with straightforward anatomy and single point of intervention, often managed with ligation or simple closure techniques.
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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.