CPT® Code 33305

The procedure described by CPT® Code 33305 involves the repair of a cardiac wound while utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass. A cardiac wound refers to any injury or defect in the heart that requires surgical intervention. In contrast to CPT® Code 33300, which details the repair of a cardiac wound without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (known as off-pump cardiac wound repair), this procedure is performed with the heart temporarily stopped and blood circulation maintained by a heart-lung machine. The surgical approach begins with an incision in the chest to access the heart, allowing the surgeon to control any bleeding and assess the extent of the cardiac injury. During the procedure, blood is evacuated from the thoracic cavity, and the pericardium, the protective sac surrounding the heart, may be incised to relieve any fluid accumulation. A traction suture, often referred to as a Beck's suture, is placed to stabilize the heart during the repair process. The surgeon then identifies the location of the cardiac wound and employs various techniques to control bleeding, depending on the size of the wound. If the wound is small, digital pressure or temporary sutures may be used, while larger wounds may necessitate clamping of major blood vessels to create a bloodless field. After thorough evaluation and control of bleeding, the cardiac wound is closed using permanent sutures, ensuring that surrounding structures, such as coronary arteries, are not damaged. The procedure concludes with the removal of the traction suture, placement of chest tubes if necessary, and closure of the chest cavity.