35905 Excision graft thorax
Also known as: graft excision chest, infected graft removal thoracic, mediastinal graft extraction
Excision of infected or degenerated arterial graft in the thorax (chest) with or without reconstruction. Removes compromised vascular prosthesis from mediastinum.
In Plain Language
removing a bad or infected bypass from the chest; extracting a failed chest graft
Clinical Context
Performed for infected aortic graft, prosthetic endocarditis, or thoracic graft failure. Complex surgery.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 32.68 |
| Total RVU | 32.68 |
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 32.68, 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 35905?
CPT 35905 (Excision graft thorax) is a Surgery code. Excision of infected or degenerated arterial graft in the thorax (chest) with or without reconstruction. Removes compromised vascular prosthesis from mediastinum.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 35905?
The work RVU for CPT 35905 is 32.68. This code is primarily used by Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 35905 used?
Performed for infected aortic graft, prosthetic endocarditis, or thoracic graft failure. Complex surgery.
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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.