CPT® Code 33615

Repair of complex cardiac anomalies (eg, tricuspid atresia) by closure of atrial septal defect and anastomosis of atria or vena cava to pulmonary artery (simple Fontan procedure)

The procedure described by CPT® Code 33615 involves the surgical repair of complex cardiac anomalies, specifically addressing conditions such as tricuspid atresia. Tricuspid atresia is a congenital heart defect characterized by the absence or imperforate nature of the tricuspid valve, which is situated between the right atrium and right ventricle. This condition often coexists with an atrial septal defect (ASD), which is an abnormal opening in the interatrial septum that allows blood to flow between the left and right atria. The surgical intervention aims to correct these anomalies by performing a closure of the ASD and executing a simple Fontan procedure. The Fontan procedure is a palliative surgical technique that reroutes blood flow to ensure that deoxygenated blood from the body is directed to the pulmonary artery, thereby bypassing the right ventricle, which is either underdeveloped or non-functional in patients with tricuspid atresia. This complex surgical approach requires careful planning and execution, as it involves accessing the heart through a median sternotomy, utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass, and performing intricate anastomoses to establish proper blood flow dynamics. The ultimate goal of this procedure is to improve oxygenation and overall cardiac function in patients with these significant congenital heart defects.