36228 Place catheter intracranial artery
Also known as: intracranial catheter, cerebral vessel catheterization, neuro catheterization
Percutaneous placement of catheter into intracranial artery for selective angiography or neurointerventional procedure. Intracranial vascular access.
In Plain Language
putting a tube in an artery in the brain; intracranial artery catheterization
Clinical Context
Used for intracranial aneurysm evaluation/treatment, arteriovenous malformation intervention, or cerebral angiography.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 4.14 |
| Total RVU | 4.14 |
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. Ensure the diagnosis code (ICD-10) supports medical necessity for the procedure.
How This Code Compares
With a work RVU of 4.14, this code ranks in the 28th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.9x below the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 36228?
CPT 36228 (Place catheter intracranial artery) is a Surgery code. Percutaneous placement of catheter into intracranial artery for selective angiography or neurointerventional procedure. Intracranial vascular access.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 36228?
The work RVU for CPT 36228 is 4.14. This code is primarily used by Neurology, Interventional Radiology.
When is CPT 36228 used?
Used for intracranial aneurysm evaluation/treatment, arteriovenous malformation intervention, or cerebral angiography.
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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.