35081 Repair defect of artery
Also known as: abdominal aortic repair, AAA defect repair, aortic repair
Repair of a defect of the abdominal aorta (suture or patch angioplasty). Surgical correction of infrarenal aortic defect.
In Plain Language
surgical repair of weakness or aneurysm in belly artery
Clinical Context
Used for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. May be elective (aneurysm) or emergency (rupture).
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 32.69 |
| Total RVU | 32.69 |
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 32.69, this code ranks in the 94th percentile among Surgery codes — 4.1x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 35081?
CPT 35081 (Repair defect of artery) is a Surgery code. Repair of a defect of the abdominal aorta (suture or patch angioplasty). Surgical correction of infrarenal aortic defect.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 35081?
The work RVU for CPT 35081 is 32.69. This code is primarily used by Vascular Surgery, General Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 35081 used?
Used for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. May be elective (aneurysm) or emergency (rupture).
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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.