CPT® Code 33813

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An aortopulmonary septal defect (APSD) is a congenital heart defect characterized by an abnormal opening in the septum that separates the aorta from the pulmonary artery. This defect occurs when the septum fails to close properly during the early stages of embryonic development, leading to a direct connection between the two major blood vessels. As a result, oxygen-rich blood from the aorta can mix with oxygen-poor blood from the pulmonary artery, which can lead to various complications, including increased blood flow to the lungs and potential heart failure if left untreated. The procedure coded as CPT® 33813 involves the surgical obliteration of this defect without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, which is a technique that temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs during surgery. Instead, the surgeon accesses the heart through a median sternotomy or thoracotomy, allowing for direct visualization and repair of the defect. This approach may involve resecting the thymus and harvesting a section of the pericardium to create a patch graft for the repair. The procedure is critical for restoring normal blood flow and preventing further complications associated with the APSD.