33750 Shunt subclavian to pulmonary artery
Also known as: BT shunt, subclavian-pulmonary shunt, Blalock-Taussig procedure
Surgical creation of a Blalock-Taussig shunt or similar subclavian-to-pulmonary artery connection for cyanotic heart disease palliation.
In Plain Language
connecting arm artery to lung artery
Clinical Context
Classic palliative procedure for cyanotic congenital heart disease (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot, tricuspid atresia); increases pulmonary blood flow until definitive repair.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 21.66 |
| Total RVU | 21.66 |
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 21.66, this code ranks in the 84th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.7x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33750?
CPT 33750 (Shunt subclavian to pulmonary artery) is a Surgery code. Surgical creation of a Blalock-Taussig shunt or similar subclavian-to-pulmonary artery connection for cyanotic heart disease palliation.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33750?
The work RVU for CPT 33750 is 21.66. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Cardiology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 33750 used?
Classic palliative procedure for cyanotic congenital heart disease (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot, tricuspid atresia); increases pulmonary blood flow until definitive repair.
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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.