35691 Artery trnsposj vertbrl carotid
Also known as: vertebral-carotid transposition, VA transposition, vertebral artery relocation
Arterial transposition of vertebral artery to carotid artery for vertebral artery ostial disease or subclavian steal syndrome. Restores vertebral blood flow.
In Plain Language
moving the vertebral artery to attach to the carotid; relocating an artery to improve blood flow
Clinical Context
Performed for symptomatic vertebral artery origin stenosis or occlusion. Less invasive than bypass.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 17.95 |
| Total RVU | 17.95 |
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 17.95, this code ranks in the 79th percentile among Surgery codes — 2.2x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 35691?
CPT 35691 (Artery trnsposj vertbrl carotid) is a Surgery code. Arterial transposition of vertebral artery to carotid artery for vertebral artery ostial disease or subclavian steal syndrome. Restores vertebral blood flow.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 35691?
The work RVU for CPT 35691 is 17.95. This code is primarily used by Vascular Surgery, Neurovascular Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 35691 used?
Performed for symptomatic vertebral artery origin stenosis or occlusion. Less invasive than bypass.
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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.