35121 Repair defect of artery
Also known as: abdominal artery repair, hepatic artery repair, gastric artery repair
Repair of a defect or aneurysm of the gastric, hepatic, splenic, or other major abdominal artery.
In Plain Language
Fixing a weakened or damaged abdominal blood vessel; Repairing a stomach or liver blood vessel
Clinical Context
Indicated for symptomatic or ruptured visceral artery aneurysms presenting with acute abdominal pain, hemorrhage, or hemodynamic instability. Common in patients with chronic pancreatitis, atherosclerosis, or fibromuscular dysplasia.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 30.73 |
| Total RVU | 30.73 |
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 30.73, this code ranks in the 93rd percentile among Surgery codes — 3.8x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 35121?
CPT 35121 (Repair defect of artery) is a Surgery code. Repair of a defect or aneurysm of the gastric, hepatic, splenic, or other major abdominal artery.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 35121?
The work RVU for CPT 35121 is 30.73. This code is primarily used by Vascular Surgery, General Surgery, Interventional Radiology. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 35121 used?
Indicated for symptomatic or ruptured visceral artery aneurysms presenting with acute abdominal pain, hemorrhage, or hemodynamic instability. Common in patients with chronic pancreatitis, atherosclerosis, or fibromuscular dysplasia.
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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.