CPT® Code 35142

Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for ruptured aneurysm, common femoral artery (profunda femoris, superficial femoral)

The CPT® Code 35142 refers to the surgical procedure involving the direct repair of a ruptured aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm of the common femoral artery, which is also known as the superficial femoral artery or profunda femoris. An aneurysm is characterized by an abnormal enlargement or dilation of an artery, which can occur due to various factors such as arteriosclerosis, mechanical obstruction, or malposition of the artery. Less frequently, aneurysms may arise from conditions like syphilis, tuberculosis, or abnormalities in the vessel wall, such as fibromuscular dysplasia. In contrast, a pseudoaneurysm is a hematoma that forms in direct communication with the artery wall but does not involve all three layers of the arterial wall, typically resulting from trauma or complications from medical procedures like catheterization. The common femoral artery serves as a continuation of the external iliac artery, extending from the inguinal ligament to the popliteal artery. The surgical approach involves making a leg incision to access the femoral artery, followed by the establishment of control over the artery above and below the aneurysm. This procedure is critical in emergency situations where a ruptured aneurysm poses a significant risk of bleeding, necessitating immediate intervention to isolate and control the bleeding before proceeding with the repair.