CPT® Code 35022

Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for ruptured aneurysm, innominate, subclavian artery, by thoracic incision

The CPT® Code 35022 refers to the surgical procedure for the direct repair of a ruptured aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm of the innominate or subclavian artery. This procedure may involve excision, which can be partial or total, and the insertion of a graft, with or without the use of a patch graft. The surgical approach is performed via a thoracic incision, which allows access to the affected artery. An aneurysm is characterized by an abnormal enlargement or dilation of an artery, which can arise from various causes, including arteriosclerosis, mechanical obstructions such as thoracic outlet syndrome, or abnormalities in the vessel wall. Pseudoaneurysms, on the other hand, differ from true aneurysms as they do not involve all three layers of the arterial wall and are often the result of trauma or complications from medical procedures. The surgical intervention aims to repair the damaged artery, restore normal blood flow, and prevent further complications associated with the aneurysm. The procedure is critical in emergency situations where a ruptured aneurysm poses an immediate risk of significant bleeding and requires prompt surgical intervention to control the hemorrhage and repair the artery.