CPT® Code 0085T

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A breath test for heart transplant rejection, designated by CPT® Code 0085T, serves as a diagnostic tool to assist in the detection of grade 3 heart transplant rejection in patients who have undergone an allograft heart transplant within the past year. This test is utilized as an adjunct to the more invasive procedure of endomyocardial biopsy, which is the standard method for assessing transplant rejection. The breath test specifically measures the presence of methylated alkanes in the patient's exhaled breath. An increase in these methylated alkanes can indicate oxidative stress and the breakdown of membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids, both of which are associated with the physiological changes that occur during transplant rejection. During the procedure, the patient's exhaled breath is collected into a sorbent trap, and a sample of room air is simultaneously obtained for comparison. The analysis of these samples is conducted using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, a sophisticated technique that allows for the precise measurement of chemical compounds. The results from the breath test are then compared to a recent endomyocardial biopsy result, which must be conducted within the last month. This comparison is crucial as it helps to calculate the probability of transplant rejection, providing valuable information to healthcare providers in managing the patient's post-transplant care.