CPT® Code 35152

Direct repair of aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or excision (partial or total) and graft insertion, with or without patch graft; for ruptured aneurysm, popliteal artery

The procedure described by CPT® Code 35152 involves the surgical intervention for the repair of a ruptured aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery. 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 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. The popliteal artery, located behind the knee, is a continuation of the common femoral artery and bifurcates into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries. The surgical procedure entails direct repair or excision of the aneurysm, with the potential insertion of a graft, which may be either autogenous (using the patient's own saphenous vein) or synthetic. This intervention is critical in emergency situations where a ruptured aneurysm poses an immediate risk of significant bleeding, necessitating prompt isolation and control of the bleeding before proceeding with the repair.