35642 Bpg carotid-vertebral
Also known as: carotid-vertebral bypass, carotid-to-vertebral bypass, vertebral artery revascularization
Arterial bypass graft from carotid artery to vertebral artery for vertebral artery stenosis or occlusion causing posterior circulation insufficiency. Restores vertebrobasilar flow.
In Plain Language
neck artery to back-of-brain artery bypass; restoring blood flow to the back of the brain
Clinical Context
Used for symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis or occlusion causing vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Less common with endovascular options.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 18.47 |
| Total RVU | 18.47 |
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 18.47, this code ranks in the 80th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.3x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 35642?
CPT 35642 (Bpg carotid-vertebral) is a Surgery code. Arterial bypass graft from carotid artery to vertebral artery for vertebral artery stenosis or occlusion causing posterior circulation insufficiency. Restores vertebrobasilar flow.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 35642?
The work RVU for CPT 35642 is 18.47. This code is primarily used by Vascular Surgery, Neurovascular Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 35642 used?
Used for symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis or occlusion causing vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Less common with endovascular options.
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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.