33947 Ecmo/ecls initiation artery
Also known as: ECMO initiation arterial, ECLS arterial setup, arterial cannulation ECMO
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/extracorporeal life support initiation with arterial cannulation; percutaneous or surgical placement of arterial cannula for extracorporeal oxygenation and perfusion.
In Plain Language
Placement of life support machine artery tube; Heart-lung machine artery connection
Clinical Context
Initial placement of arterial cannula for establishment of ECMO support providing both oxygenation and circulatory support in acute cardiopulmonary failure.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 6.46 |
| Total RVU | 6.46 |
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. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 6.46, this code ranks in the 43rd percentile among Surgery codes — 1.2x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 33947?
CPT 33947 (Ecmo/ecls initiation artery) is a Surgery code. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/extracorporeal life support initiation with arterial cannulation; percutaneous or surgical placement of arterial cannula for extracorporeal oxygenation and perfusion.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 33947?
The work RVU for CPT 33947 is 6.46. This code is primarily used by Cardiac Surgery, Critical Care, Cardiothoracic Surgery.
When is CPT 33947 used?
Initial placement of arterial cannula for establishment of ECMO support providing both oxygenation and circulatory support in acute cardiopulmonary failure.
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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.