33621 Transthor catheter for stent
Also known as: transthoracic stent placement, surgical stent placement, catheter stent via surgery
Transthoracic catheter-based placement of a stent within the heart or pulmonary vasculature for palliation of stenosis.
In Plain Language
placing stent through heart surgery incision
Clinical Context
Utilized when percutaneous catheterization is not feasible; allows direct transthoracic access for stent deployment in complex congenital lesions or difficult anatomy.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 15.78 |
| Total RVU | 15.78 |
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 15.78, this code ranks in the 75th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.0x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33621?
CPT 33621 (Transthor catheter for stent) is a Surgery code. Transthoracic catheter-based placement of a stent within the heart or pulmonary vasculature for palliation of stenosis.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33621?
The work RVU for CPT 33621 is 15.78. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Interventional Cardiology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 33621 used?
Utilized when percutaneous catheterization is not feasible; allows direct transthoracic access for stent deployment in complex congenital lesions or difficult anatomy.
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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.