33505 Repair artery with tunnel
Also known as: coronary unroofing, intramural tunnel repair, coronary transaortic repair
Surgical repair of an anomalous coronary artery using the 'unroofing' or 'tunnel' technique, creating a more normal course within the aortic wall.
In Plain Language
creating a tunnel for misplaced heart artery; fixing heart artery course in artery wall
Clinical Context
Indicated for anomalous coronary artery origin from the aortic sinus with intramural course; the tunnel technique provides excellent long-term results with lower risk of restenosis compared to translocation.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 37.44 |
| Total RVU | 37.44 |
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 37.44, this code ranks in the 96th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.7x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33505?
CPT 33505 (Repair artery with tunnel) is a Surgery code. Surgical repair of an anomalous coronary artery using the 'unroofing' or 'tunnel' technique, creating a more normal course within the aortic wall.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33505?
The work RVU for CPT 33505 is 37.44. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Cardiology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 33505 used?
Indicated for anomalous coronary artery origin from the aortic sinus with intramural course; the tunnel technique provides excellent long-term results with lower risk of restenosis compared to translocation.
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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.