33755 Shunt as-aort to pulmonary artery
Also known as: aortic-pulmonary shunt, ascending aorta-PA shunt, central shunt
Surgical creation of an aorto-to-pulmonary artery shunt using an interposition graft or prosthetic material.
In Plain Language
connecting main artery to lung artery
Clinical Context
Palliative procedure creating systemic-to-pulmonary connection from ascending aorta; used when subclavian artery shunt is not feasible.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 22.04 |
| Total RVU | 22.04 |
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 22.04, this code ranks in the 85th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.8x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33755?
CPT 33755 (Shunt as-aort to pulmonary artery) is a Surgery code. Surgical creation of an aorto-to-pulmonary artery shunt using an interposition graft or prosthetic material.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33755?
The work RVU for CPT 33755 is 22.04. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Cardiology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 33755 used?
Palliative procedure creating systemic-to-pulmonary connection from ascending aorta; used when subclavian artery shunt is not feasible.
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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.