62190 Establish brain cavity shunt
Also known as: VA shunt placement, ventriculoatrial shunt, cardiac shunt surgery
Establishment of ventriculoatrial cerebrospinal fluid shunt. Creates drainage system from ventricles to right atrium of heart.
In Plain Language
brain to heart shunt surgery; cardiac drainage shunt
Clinical Context
Used for cerebrospinal fluid diversion in patients with contraindications to peritoneal shunting or in revision cases.
RVU Breakdown
| Work RVU | 11.87 |
| Total RVU | 11.87 |
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 11.87, this code ranks in the 65th percentile among Surgery codes — 1.5x the median (8.00). The highest wRVU in this category is 106.19.
Specialties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CPT code 62190?
CPT 62190 (Establish brain cavity shunt) is a Surgery code. Establishment of ventriculoatrial cerebrospinal fluid shunt. Creates drainage system from ventricles to right atrium of heart.
What is the wRVU value for CPT 62190?
The work RVU for CPT 62190 is 11.87. This code is primarily used by Neurosurgery, Cardiac Surgery. It has a 90-day global period.
When is CPT 62190 used?
Used for cerebrospinal fluid diversion in patients with contraindications to peritoneal shunting or in revision cases.
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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.