CPT® Code 35005

Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, and associated occlusive disease, vertebral artery

The CPT® Code 35005 refers to the surgical procedure for the direct repair of a vertebral artery aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm, which may also involve associated occlusive disease. An aneurysm is characterized by an abnormal enlargement or dilation of an artery, often resulting from conditions such as arteriosclerosis, mechanical obstruction, or malposition of the artery. Less frequently, aneurysms can arise from infections like syphilis or tuberculosis, or from structural abnormalities in the vessel wall, such as fibromuscular dysplasia. In contrast, a pseudoaneurysm is a hematoma that forms in direct communication with the arterial wall but does not involve all three layers of the artery, typically resulting from trauma or complications from medical procedures like catheterization. The surgical approach for this procedure may involve direct repair or excision of the affected artery, with the insertion of a graft, which can be either autogenous (such as a saphenous vein) or synthetic, and may include the use of a patch graft. The procedure is performed through incisions in the arm or neck, allowing for access to the vertebral artery, where meticulous dissection and repair techniques are employed to restore normal blood flow and address the aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm effectively.